Cape Cod, the Right Arm of Massachusetts: An Historical Narrative

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f- • . ;

BRIGHT LEGACY

Oae half tke lacooM AroB thit L^aqr, which vat ra-
cehred la iMo aader the will of

JONATHAN BROWN BRIGHT
of Waltham, MaatachoMttt. it to be expeaded for booka
for the College Llbraiy. The other half of the iaeooM
it devoted to teholanhipt ia Harrard Uaivertitf for the
beaeit of dceceadaatt or

HINRY BRIGHT, JR.,
who died at Watertowa, Mattachatettt, ia i6t6i. Ia the
aheeace of each deecaadaatt, other pertoat are eilflble
to the teholanhipt. The will reqnirat that thit aaaoaaco-
Beat thall be Bade la ererjr book added to the Ubrafj
aader itt pioHtloaa.

CAPE COD

THE RIGHT ARM OF MASSACHUSETTS

HISTORICAL I^ARRATIVE

Bv CHARLES F. SWIFT,

AUTHOR OF "a HI8TORT OF OLD YARMOUTH."

«•<

Cape Cod is the bared aud bended arm of Massachusetts; the
shoulder is at Buzzard** Bay; the elbow or crazy boue at Cape
Mallebarre; the wrist at Truro; aud the saudy fist at Provineetown —
behind which the state stands ou her guard.**— Hekrt D. Tborkau.

YARMOUTH:
REOISTER PUBLISHING COMPANY

1897.

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US 13073. 2.<^ '

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Copyright, 1807,
By CHARLES P. SWIFT.

IllustratioDs by
JOSEPH E. BAKEK.

■ V P.'IJWS'J ".IV* P .

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.

m^

^ HAT Cape Cod is the Right Arm of Massa-
;, chusetts, was Dot said with reference alone
its physical characteristics. Regard,
'^.'&\''.--'j^ undoubtedly, was had to the important and
7j.%'§^ beneficent transactions which had been
'^enacted in its borders and participated in by
its people. No part uf the country has had
s more intimate relation to the great events on this continent
during the last two and a half centuries than Cape Cod and
its inhabitants. It is with the purpose of bringing within
the limits of a single volume a full and continuous record of
the histoid of this people, and making our fellow-citizeiis
better acquainted with the details of that varied and
interesting story, that the author has gathered, from many
sources, the scattered threads of this narrative. It begins
with the signing of the Compact on board the Mayfiower in
Cape Cod harbor ; shows the exalted character of the men
who settled here ; how its fisheries were taxed to lay the
foandation of our common school (<y&t«m ; how the first
successful resistance to persecution for religious opinions
was made by the disciples of Robinson in the case of the
Quakers in our Cape towns ; how her people resisted taxa-
tion without representation, and gave to the country her
peerless orator and her men of valor and endurance, in the
Revolotionary struggle ; how in the courts of law, in tiie

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.

marts of commerce, on shipboard, her citizens have stood
with the wisest and bravest ; how, in later time, her sons,
with the same devotion to the cause of liberty and duty that
distinguished their ancestors, rallied to the support of their
country's flag and the defence of its honor. These things
will not be set down in a spirit of boasting and vain glory,
but that adequate justice may be done to the fathei's, and
that their posterity may be instructed and encouraged by
their example.

The plan and limits of this volume necessarily exclude
the presentation of genealogical details. It will be a
naiTative of Capo Cod as a community and as a people. The
leading families, who have given it some added dignity, only
serve to embody in a larger degree, the concrete character-
istics of the whole. To be regarded as a good citizen of
Cai>e Cod ought to carry with it sufficient endorsement,
without the added lineage to which many of her people arc
entitled, of belonging to old families of the fatherland. A
considerable number, however, of those who have been
conspicuous for what they have done or endured, will be
commemorated in biographical notices, as occasion may
seem to render it appropriate.

By no means all, nor the greater proportion, of those who
are natives of the Cape now live on the peninsula of their
birthplace. They are found in large numbers in all the
cities of the east, in the west and on the Pacilic slope. And
wherever they are, they have can-ied with them the old-time
traits, and their affection for, and loj'alty to, the old home
by the sea.

! CONTENTS.

I

•

«

CHAPTER I.
TO?OORAPHT AWD NATURAL FXATURn, 1-T w^

I CHAPTER n.

Thx Fibst £zpix>axR8, B-18'

CHAPTER in.

TJlE MATrU)W£B*8 COXPAKT AND THEIR EZPIX>RATIONt, 19-86.

CHAPTER rV.
^-Thr First SETTLRafRxrs, 117-61^

CHAPTER V.
Charactrrutiob of thr First Comrrs, 6S^-74

CHAPTER VI.
Eyrnts Foixowiko thr Srttlexrxts, 75-89

CHAPTER Vn.
Thr Barurst Quakrrs, 90-106

I CHAPTER Vm.

^oro Phixjp*8 War, 107-190

CHAPTER IX.
From Phiup*8 War to thr Uxiox with Maksachusrtts, 121-199

CHAPTER X.
Thr Capr in thr Old Frrvch Wars, 139-169*

CHAPTER XI.
Oathrrdto of thr Storm, 168-191

CHAPTER XII.
Thr Rrtolutiokart War, 199-919'

CHAPTER Xm.
From thr Pracr of 1788 to the War of 1819-16, 2U-984

f CHAPTER XIV.

War of 1819-16, 986-989 •

k

---ci^^--

L

v«»»r«>'»h.*4a^a^>i -

ooN'raa?T&

CHAFTEB XT.
Fbom Was or 1S12-1S to Bodtrhut Rkbeixioit,

ohapteb xti.
Oapb Cod ik tkc Rxbsujom,

CHAFTEB XVn.
Fkom Wab op thx BKBKi.Lioir TO OcR Own Times,

CHAFTEB XVUI.
The Fibheries and Wbauku,

CHAFTEB XIX.
Thi Native Indiaot,

chafteb xx.
Cafe AmHOBa and Newspapers,

CHAFTEB XXI.
PopuiATtoK, Civn. IiisTs, Societies, etc,

fTMSl
282^0

SSMO'

To my fdhw-members of tfie
CAPE COB HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
who have labored with me to do Justice to the
memory of the fathers and mothers of Cape
Cod, (his recital of the history of our native
county is fraternally inscribed, by

THE A UTHOB.

ipiiiii»^i|Laip

■ •

CAPE COD.

CHAPTER I.

TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL FEATURES.

Cape Cod ami Barnstable County PyBony mown— Incorporation of the
several towns — General Foi-mation — Soil, Forests and Flora —
Native Animals, Fish and Shell lisli—DlfTerence in Northerly and
Southerly Waters— Statistics and Characteristics of Population.

HE name CAPE COD was originally intended
to apply to the extreme end of the County of
Rim^table. In its more extended designation,
it includes the entire County, with its fifteen

J^^^iJ^ towuHy viz. : Banistable, Sandwich, Yarmouth,

^1^ inc. 1G39; Eastlumi, 1646; Fahuouth, 1686
"^'- K^' Harwich, 1694; Truro, 1709 ; Chatham, 1712
Provmcetown, 1727; Wellfleet, 1763; Dennis, 1798
Orleans, 1797; Brewster, 1803; Mashpee, 1870; Bourne,
1884. It is situated between 42^ 3' and 41^ 31' N. latitude
and 69° 57' and 70° 41' ^y. from Greenwich, England.

It is a peninsula of somewhat irregular outline, about
sixty-five miles in length on the north shore, and eighty
miles on the south and east, and irom three to twenty miles
in breadth. Its average width is about six miles. In the
interior, the land rises to tlie height of some two hundred
feet above the sea. Scargo Hill, in Dennis, the highest
point in the county, is about three hundred feet al)Ove the
sea level.

According to Pi-ofessor Hitchcock, former state geologist,
the region is com}X)sed entirely of sand, even to the depth of
three hundred feet in some places, though there is proljably

2 CAPB COD.

a concealed core of rock a little beneath the surface ; and it
b of diluvian origin, excepting a small portion at the
extremity and elsewhere along the shores, which is alluviaL
For the first half of the Cape largo blocks of stone are found,
here and there, mixed with the sand, but for the last ttiirty
miles boulders, or even gravel, are rarely met with. Above
the sand, if the surface is subjected to agricultural tests,
there is found to be a layer of soil of considerable thickness
in the upper portion of the county, gradually diminishing
from Barnstable to Truro, when it almost ceases ; ^but there
are many holes and rents in this weather-beaten garment,
not likely to be stitched in time, which reveal the naked flesh
of the Cape, and its extremity is completely bare."*

The land was originally covered with wood, except in the
few fields or planting grounds of the Indians, which
comprised only an inconsiderable region. Archer, who
wrote an account of Gosnold's voyage, in 1602, spoke of
Cape Cod, which Gosnold named, as having "wooded hills;"
and Captain John Smith, who was here twelve years after-
wards, described it as "a headland of high hills, overgrown
with shrubby pines." To the Pilgrims of the Mayflower,
just from the dunes and marshes of Holland, the bay seemed
"compassed about to the very sea, with oaks, pines, juniper,
sassafras and other sweet wood." Of the trees that are
indigenous in the coimty are the pitch pine and the white, in
the upper towns ; oak, white, red, black and sciaib, sassafras,
red cedar, birch, white and black, holly, somewhat scarce,
ash, beach, maple, walnut, locust, in some localities. The
red cedar, or savin, called by "Mourt" and other writers,
"juniper," was once plentiful, but is not now so productive.
Gosnold and Smith ciilled it "cypress," but the real cjincss
has a different fonn. Wild giupe vines, green briar,

^Hitchcock's Report.

TOPOGRAPHY AlTD KATURAL FEATUBES. S

Virginia creeper and ivy are shrubs found in aU the region
of the Cape.

The blackberry 9 blaeberry and wortleberry are abundant
in their season. ' The wild gmpe is found in the swamps and
forests. The wild strawberry grows by the border of
highways and in open fields. The checkerbeny, sometimes
known' as boxbenj', wintei^i-een or partridge beny. is
abundant in the open woods.

The flora of the Cape is profuse and embraces the golden
aster, golden rod, crowberry, pimpernel, violet, smilax,
azalia, and the tiiayflower, the welcome harbinger of spring,
hiding its bright blossoms and odorous breath under the
covering of rough leaves. The bearbeiTy, or hog cranberry,
with evergreen leaves and bright crimson berries, covers
acres on the borders of the forests with a thick carpet of
foKage and fruit.

Extensive salt marshes skirt the northern and northwesterly
shores of th^ Cape, and these were a great inducement to
the early settlers, in seeking for a place of settlement.
Wha;t is known as salt hay, was formerly much used by our
farmers, but of late years is not so well esteemed. Within
the last half century an extensive system of dyking ha»
converted many acres into valuable fresh meadow land.

The surface of the county is dotted with hundreds of
fresh water ponds, some of them containing an area of
hundreds of acres. The aggregate of our fresh water
acreage amounts to a fifth of that of the whole State, viz :
Barnstable 8,140; Brewster 1,400; Chatham 5,960 ; Dennis
979; Eastham 880; Falmouth 4,838; Harwich 1,974;
Mashpee, 1,420; Orleans 2,748; Frovincetown 320; Sand-
wich (including Bourne,) 1,600; Tniro 1,265; Wellfleet
4,868 ; Yarmouth 3,100. Total 39,492 acres.*

^lutenial Fishery Commission Report.

4 CAPE COD.

■

. The shores and hays of the count}" abound with shellfish
in srrcat varietv. Ovstei's vrcre iniliircnous here, but by the
wholesale taking of them the native variety lias become
scarce ; v;hen brought from abi-oad and transplanted, espe-
cially in I'Ciiion."? havin«f a flow of alternate sidt and fresh
water, they grow with great rapidity and of fine flavor. The
viya remiria^ soft-shell clam, is the most productive of
the eonehiferoiis family. Capt. Jolm Smith wrote, in
161G, "You shall scarce find any Imy or sliallow shore or
cove of sand, where you may not take many clampes or
lobsters, or lx)th, at j'our pleasure." Says an old writer,
"The most j^roductive land in the State is the clam flats.
They cost nothing for fencing or top dressing; they are
self-planting and self-supiKU-ting, and the more the soil
is tuiTied, the faster the crop matures, and the greater its
aliilndance." Some towns annually dig and ship several
thousands of bushels, besides what are consumed bv the
inhabitants. The mactiXL solidissimay or sea clam, sometimes
called the sea hen, grows in the soft sand near tlie shore, or
on the bars, and is causrht bv rakins: at low tides. Thcv are
much used bv the winter bank fishenncn, for bait. The
mesodesma alcfata is a snudl clam of the giant si>ecies,
which is sometimes washed ashore on the ( •ai>c. The (|ualiiuig
is a round, thick-shelled clam, tight as an 03'ster, with hard,
firm flesh, greatly esteemed by epicures. The scallop,
peclrenconcentncnSy is washed ashore in abundance after
severe storms, or leaked from the shoal water. The eve onlv
is eaten, and is higlily esteemed. The nmsscl, mutUnn ednli^^
is abundant, Imt not eaten on the Cape, though hi France
and other countnes it is largely cultivated for food. The
razor-fish (solcn) is named from its I'esemblance iii size and
shape to the haft of a Rizor. It is said to force itself, not
only upwards and downwards, Imt diagonally. It is

TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL FEATURES. 5

excellent eating. Cockles are al:$o found in .several varieties.

Of Crustacea are the lobster, crab, horscfoot or king-crab,
with which the Indians taught our fathers to enrich their corn
at planting, by placing a piece ui the hill, as they souictimoe
did fish.

There is a diffei'ence m the product of the northerly and
southerly waters of the Cape. Prof. Fallow, of the U. S.
Fish Commission, makes Cape Cod the dividhig line between
the Anitic and the Adriatic flow. Hei-e the Gulf Stream
loses its force and stiikes toward the European coast.
Above this line marine vegetation is of an Arctic flora,
distinct in many features fi'om tliat of Long Island. The
difference l>etwcen the flora of Massachu;>etts and Biizzanis
Baj's is greater thim between Massachusetts Bay and the
Baj' of Fundy, or Xantucket and Norfolk.

Of the fishes which are found in the waters of Cav>e Cod,
the foUowin:? list was made in 1855 bv the eminent native
ichthyologist, Capt. Nathaniel E. Atwood. The names by
which they are known to fishennen is used, as l^etter adapted
to the comprehension of the general reader tlian the dcsign^^
tions employed ])y scientific writers :

Stri^xid bass, fl^'ing sculpin, deep water soulpin, 'Wej'mouth
or JIar!)Iehcad eel, stickleback, scapaug, common mackerel,
striped l3onito, horse mackerel, si)ottod mackerel (rare),
yellow mackerel (rare), bluefish, skipjack, silversido,
spotted gunnel, snake-shaped bleniry (new), motella (rare),
goosefish, tautog, cornier, bro(>k minnow, gasse tiy, bill
fish, smelt, hcnnng, blue-back herring (new), alewife, Avhito
shad, hickory shad, menhaden, cod, torn cod, haddock,
pollock, American hake, whiting, flounder, deepwater
flounder, halibut, American turbot, tom-spotted flounder
(new), sand dob, eel, sand ec!, Peck's \n\)0 ri?^h, sun fi-jh, cat
fish, sivingle tailed shark, mackerel shark, man-eater shark

6 CAPE COD.

(rare), more shark, hammerhead shark (rare), blue shark,
dog fish shark, skate, cramp fish or torpedo (rare), American
lamprey, blueish lamprey. The ponds abound with pickerel,
perch, black bass, and in the streams are trout and salmon
trout (rare).

' Of the wild beasts that were found in the forests of the
Cape the wolf alone has been exterminated. In the early
settlement of the county the people were greatly annoyed
and injured by the depredations of these animals, which
came by night to prey upon their cattle. Wolf traps were
maintained by public charge throughout the county, and the
bounties offered for their heads by the authorities at last had
the effect to lead to their extennination. Red deer were
also quite numerous, and owing to the protection afforded by
the state, these beautiful animals are now found ranging our
forests in the woods of Sandwich, Falmouth, Bounie and in
some portions of Banistable and Yannouth. The red fox is
found all over the county, and, though persistently pursued
by hunters, is still apparently undiminished in numbers.
The mink and the muskrat are numerous on the borders of
ponds and streams ; the woodcock and polecat in the fields ;
the striped and grey squirrel, rabbit and chipmunk in the
forests. The raccoon is not so often seen, and the flj^ng
squirrel and feiTct but occasionally.

Of birds, there are the fish-hawk, red-tailed hawk, the
red, snow and cat-OAvl, which are the most common birds of
prey; eagles are occasionally seen scaling the air; the
oniniverous birds, like the crow, bluejay, cliickadcc, nicadow-
lark, Baltimore oriole, red-winged crow, crow-blackbird,
bobolink, cedar-bird, arc abundant; of insectivorous birds,
are the robin, pewit, l>laebird. In-own thrush, wood-thrush
and house-wren ; various specimens of the pa>sarine species ;
the woodpecker and swallow of several varieties ; the night-

TOPOGEAPHT AITO NATUBAI. FEATURESl

hawk, ffae whippooraill, the hanurnDg-bird. The heath-hen
was formerly found here, bat is now extinct, so far as this
region is concerned. Quail and partridge are found ia
ahnost every forest. Woodcock and snipe are also found,
and plover, curlew, heron, sand-piper, duck, brant and other
water birds, are hunted on oar beaches and shores.

llie county contained, according to the State census of
1895, a population of 27,654 inhabitants. The females
out-nombered the males by 963. The hazardous business
porsuits of tiie people accounts in a great measure, tiiougb
not wholly, for this disparity in the numbers of the sexes.
Nearly 90 per cent, of the population are of native birth,
and are of purer descent from the flrat English settlers than
in any other portion of the State. With their lineage they
have inherited the love of order and progress, and the
attachment for free institutions, which diatinguished their
ancestors, and which all the subsequent generations that
followed, maintained and upheld with vigor and determina-
tion. From these shores have gone forth thousands of her
sons to populate and develop the communities in the West
and on the Pacific slope, to which regions they have
contributed some of the best elements of their progress and
success ; so that, while Barnstable county is their home and
the place of their origin the vihole countrj is a witness to
the qunlities of mind and heart of the fiitlipr'^ and mothers
of Cape Cod, whose achievements it l the purpose of the
following pages to record and illustrate

CHAPTER II.
THE FIRST EXPLORERS.

Probable visit of tlie Nortb men —Verm zziino. Alleroii^ce, Burtholo-
mew Gosnold, Prhi;. Champlniu aud De Moulu, Oaiit. Jobn
Smith, Ttaomas Dermer— PeHtUeuce Amoug tUu Kittive«.

ISTOKIANS have been accustomed to
a^ciilie to Bai-tholoiuew Go^iiold and his
compiijiioiis, in 1602, the first discovery
iikI landing ni)on the coast of Cape Cod.
But it had several times lieforo hecn
explored hy Europeans. The Icelandic
. sa.riiii furnish OTei'wIieliuing evideiice tliat
the Xort&men visited this con^t some five
centiiiies before the English navigator
eiubat kcd on his ndventui-oiis voyage to the Western
contment The chronicles of these intrepid explorers,
especially of Thortinn Ivarlscfue, contain retereucos to
localities visited, whicli can apply to no othei' region of the
North American coast l)ut Cape Cod. Setting foith in the
year lOOU, in two ships, from Iceland to Greenland, and
thence following along the coast of Labnidor and Sable
Island, they "sailed some time soittlnvest with land to star-
board, wlien tliej' reached Ivjalarnes, where were tniL-klcss
and white sandy beaches, of such length as to obtain the
name of Furdnrstrandir" (Marvellous Stmnds.) Continuing
their conise tlic^' entered a ba)', off tiie mouth of which was
an island, past which ran a strong current, evidently
Nantm.-ket Riy and Vineyard 8ound, and also snilod further

THE FIRST EXPLORERS. fl-

op the bay, where they landed and spent the n'inter. One-
of the ships then trailed northward, but after ])aii6iDg the
coast of Kjlamea, was diiven to sea and landed on the coast
of Iceland. The otbcr ship sailed southwrtt nnd explored
the region known to the Scandinavians as Muland, which *
the beat of authorities now unite in locating somewhere upon
the coast of Mount Hope Bay.

The description of this coast by the historians of thi»
voyage is startling in its reality. An to the Furdurstrandir,
or Marvellous Ejtrands, of the Northmen, they correspond

so exactly with tlic coast of the Nausct peninsula, and the-
Chatham and ^lonomoy bcachcii, thnt no description could
be more accurate. Dr. nitt!n;<ick says, si^eaking of this
region: "The dnnes, or sacd-hills, which arc often nearly
quite barren of vegclation, and of stiowy whiteness, forcibly
attract the attention on account of their peculiarity. As we-
approached the cvtrcmity of tlie Cape, the sand and the
barrenness increase, and in not ii few places it would need
only a partj- of Itcdouin Aralis to cross tlie traveller's path,
to make him feci that he was in the dcptlis of an Arabian or-

10 CAPB COD.

Ljbian desert." Prof. Bafn (of the Copenhagen Boyal

Society) thinks that the name of Marvellous Strands may
be chiefly due to the phenomena of the mirage, witnessed
there by the Northmen, and in support of this conjecture

* Hitchcock remarks that "^ In crossing the sands of the Cape,
I noticed a singular mirage or deception. In Orleans, for
instance, we seemed to be ascending at an angle of three or
or four degrees, nor was I convinced that such was not the
case, until turning about, I perceived that a similar ascent
appeared on the road just passed over." If these bold
navigators landed on the Cape they made no extended tarry
here, and for over four centuries more, so far as any record
sets forth, our waters were unvexed by the keels of European
explorers.

In 1524, Giovanni Verrazzano, the gi*eat Florentine
. navigator, made a voyage of exploration to North America,

. and coasted from Cape Fear, Newfoundland, to New York
Bay. In an outline map prepared by James Verrazzano in
1529, appears for the fii*st time upon any chart of the New
World an outline of the coast of Cape Cod suflSciently
distinct for identification.

About 1542, Jelian AUefonsce, a. French navigator, sailed
down the coast from Canada, to latitude 42° north, and
*** entered a great bay," the end whereof he did not reach.
Allefonscc*s voyage to the New England coast was doubtless
made in the interest of Robei'val, who, in 1541, was made
"Lord of Norombega," or Newfoundland, and of all New
England, eighty years before the landing of the Pilgrim
Fathers. As AUefonsce was a veteran and accomplished
navigator, perfectly acquainted Avith the astrolabe, it seems
certain that the bay he visited in this latitude must have
been Massachusetts Bay, thus anticipating Gosnold more
than sixty years.

fkOtn

L Sttc of former eDtrance tn I'oinmmnfnitt or old eblp barbor. Tbs
locall^r of thu old -hip i* ivjirc sf)il<-(1 tu blftclc
2. Present eutrauce to ChntLnm bnrbor.
8. lolBiid le^lge.

Vi CAPE COD.

On March 26, 1602, O. S., Capt. Bartholomew Gosnold,
who is regarded as the first Englishman to set foot upon the
shores of Cape Cod, and the first European who erected a
dwelling-house on the soil of Massachusetts, sailed from
Falmouth, England, for the north part of Virginia, in a
small bark called the Concord, they being in all, says one
account, "thirty-two persons, whereof eight were mariners
and sailors, twelve purposing upon discovery to return with
the ship for England, the rest to remain tliere for
population." The voyage was undertaken " by the permission
of Sir Walter Raleigh" and at the cost of a company of
gentlemen, one of whom was the Earl of Southampton, the
friend and patron of Shakespeare. Gabriel Archer, "a
gentleman of the said voyage," and John Breroton, "one of
the voyage," wrote a "'Brief and True Relation," from which
it appeared that, instead of the indirect course by way of
the Canaries and the West India Islands, Gosnold bokll}''
took a straight course across the Atlantic. On the 14tli of
May he made land on tlie eastcni coast of Massachusetts
north of Cape Cod, and sailing south on the loth, soon
found himself "^embayed wiih a niiglit}' headland," which
appeared like an island by tlio reason of the large sound
that lay between it and the main. "This sound he called
Shoal Hope, and near this Cape, within a league of the land,
he came to anchor in fifteen fathoms of water. Ilavinir
hoisted out one-half of tlieir shallop, Capt. Gosnold and
four others went ashore, and ascendiiiir the hills obtained a
view of the surroundinc: country, iliscoverini? that the
headland was a part of the main, with "sandy islands lying
round about it." Thoir vessels were "so Dcstcred with
codfish that numbers of them were thrown overboard, and
Capt. Gosnold called the place Cape Cod," "a name," says
Cotton Mather, "which it will never lose until shoals of

THE FIRST EXPLOREIia 13

-codfish l^e seen swimming on its highest hills." Ai*cher,
one of the gentlemen of the companj', deseribes the Cape
4is l>cing in "42^ North latitude, well nigh a mile broad, and
extending northeast by east, the sand by the shore somewhat
deep and the ground full of peas, whortleberries, etc., then
unrii>e,'' They cut firewood, consisting of ''cypress, birch,
witch-hazel and l>eech." Gosnold anchored we^t of Long
Point, and describes the shore as bold, and does not mention
any lagoon with water between the Point and the site of the
present village. His description indicates great changes in
the configui*ation of the coast since that time. The next
day he sailed east and south along the outer coast of the
Cape, which, inland, was ''somewhat woody." This coast
differed widely from the present line. Off ^'auset a point
extended far out into the sea, surrounded by shoal water
with breakers. This^ "beach" he called Tuckei^'s Terror,
and the headland, Point Care, which was the easterly cape
of Isle Nauset. Passing this headland, and bearing again
to the land, he anchored in the night-time, in eight fathoms
of water, east of what is now Pleasant Bay. Several
canoes here came alongside of the ship, the Indians
bringing tobacco pijTcs studded with copper, skins and other
trifles to l>arter ; one of them had a plate of copper hanging
about his neck, and the rest pendants of copper. Five or
six miles southeasterly from the present town of Chatham,
another point extended far out into the sea, which Gosnold
named Gilbert Point, anchoring a league or somewhat
beyond it. Not a vestige of Gilbert Point or Isle Nauset
now exists. A ledge half a mile fi-om the shore, covered
with four or five fathoms of water, in the direct course of
vessels passing around the Cai^, is all that remains of the
latter. The sea broke over the former in two places,
fomiinsr two islands, one of which soon drifted awav. The

U CAPE COD.

outer one, called Webb's Island, containing about twenty
acres, remained until about 1730, being resorted to before
that time, according to tradition, by the people of Nantucket
and other places for wood, with which it was well stocked.
Stumps, showing the murks of the axe, ai*e drawn up by the
fishermen, or driven ashore by the gales. Sandy or
Monomoy Point did not then exist ; it was formed by the
debris of Gilbert Point, From the Point, Gosnold voyaged
westerly, visiting Hyannis harbor and skirting the southerly
coast of the Cape, touching at the islands, finally landing
and erecting a trading house at Cuttyhunk, which a few
weeks after was abandoned, the entire party sailing for
England, with a collection of furs and peltry and sassafras
root, the latter of which was then held in great esteem in
pharmacy.

The next year after Gosnold's visit, came Martin Pring
upon the coast, searching for sassafras, which for some time
thereafter was in great request by the old-time pharmacists ;
but Pring left no accessible accounts of what he saw and
heard, for the enlightenment of posterity.

The most valuable and scieutitic explorations of this coast
in the early part of the seventeenth century were made
under the auspices of the French goveramcnt, by Champlain
and De Monts, but strange to say, neither Bancroft nor
Palfrey refer to them, and Holmes, Barry and Ilildrcth only
incidentally, without giving an account of their work in
delineating the coast of New England. Champlain was a
skilful navigator, a man of science, and geographer to the
King of France, and crossed the Atlantic about twenty
times. He was engaged between Nova Scotia and Cape
Cod, obseiTjng the land and its inha)>itants and making a
map of the coast, from May, 1(>04, to September, 1607.
Cape Cod harbor was visited by De Monts and Champlain

THE FIB8T EXPLORBBa 15

in 1605, and the next year was farther explored by Poitrin-
court and Champlain. In his map Cape Cod is called Cape
Blanc (i. e. Cape White) from the color of its sand hills.
Champlain, in the account of bis ** voyages," gave separate
charts and soundings of two harbors — ^Malle Barre, the Bad
Bar (Nauset Harbor?) and Port Fortune, Chatham Harbor.
By his own account Champlain arrived off Chatham Oct. 2,
1606. His boat, which he sent on shore, could not land,
by reason of the breakers, but the Indians launched a canoe
and came on board. The next morning, piloted by the
Indians, he entered the harbor, but found difficulty of
navigation among the shoals of Monomoy. The vessel
struck the bottom, broke her rudder, and was in peril.
^'Finally,'' he says, ^we succeeded by the grace of God, in
passing over a point of sand which juts out into the sea
three leagues to the S. S. £., a very dangerous place. We
were involved in such fashion among the breakers and
sand-banks that it was necessary to pass at all hazards.''
finding a smooth place they anchored and sent a boat with
men to look out a channel. After '* considering the place,"
the boat returned with a savage, and favorable news. They
immediately got under way, and were piloted by the savage
to a place where they cast anchor in a roadstead having six
&thoms of water and good bottom. The next day marka
were put up on the sand, and at high water they run in at
what is now known as Harding's Beach Point, and anchored
in two fathoms of water. In view of the perils they had
passed they called the place Port Fortune. This is now that
portion of Chatham coast known as Stage Harbor.

Fifteen days were spent in this place, a cross was erected,
and possession taken in the name of the King of France.
Their intercourse with the natives had up to this time been
friendly and without apprehension of danger. When the

16 CAPE COD.

repairs of the bark were completed, Poitrincourt walked
a shoi-t distance into the interior, while his people were
baking bread for the coming voyage. In his absence some
•of the natives went to the cncanipnient of the French, stole
a hatchet, and guns Avere tired, and thej' tied. Poitrincourt,
-on his return from his expedition inland, saw the Indians
carrvins: awav their children and other indications of excite-
ment and i)rcparation. This created suspicions, which were
veriiied the next morning by the discharge among the
company of a shower of arrows, killing two and wounding
seveml. The Indians then fled, and pursuit wjis considered
useless. The dead were buried at the foot of a cross ; but
whilst the funeral seiTice was being performed, the Indians
were seen dancing and yelling in conceii:, at a convenient
distance away. After the French had retired to their bark,
the Indians took down the cross, and dug up the bodies,
stripping them of their grave clothes, which they can*ied
about in mock triumph. Poitrincourt then attempted to
pass further around the Cape, but was driven back by adverse
winds, to his fonuer anclioragc. The Indians now seemed
pacifically inclined, and made proffers of trade ; whereupon
six or seven of them were seized bv the French and
executed. They again left the harbor, and sailed southerly,
discovering an island, probably Nantucket or Martha's Vine-
vavd. With his wounded men, whose lives he considered
in peril, he sailed away for Port Koyal, relinquishing his
designs for forming a settlement.

That Capt. Henry Hudson, when in the employ of the
Dutch East India company, "discovered'' Cape Cod and
landed upon some part of it, rests upon the authority of the
journal of his voyage. AVhat i)ortion of the Cape he visited
and how lonir he remained, is not known.

In 1614, the famous Capt. John Smith visited the coast.

THE FIRST EXPLORERS. 17

and in his "Description of Now Enirland," printed ten years
later, after speaking of Accomack, since called Plymouth,
he says : ^ Caj^e Cod is • the next which presents itself,
which is only a headland of hills of sand, overgrown with
scrubby pines, hurts (i. e., whorts or whortleberiies) and
•such trash, Imt an excellent harbor for all weathers. This
Cape is made by the main sea on the one side, and a great
bay on the other, in the form of a sickle. On it doth
inhabit the i>eople of Pawmet, and in the bottom of the bay
those of Chawum** (Barnstable or Yarmouth). Smith's
ships apj)ear to have made as thorough an exploration of the
inside of the Cayie as Champlain did of the outside, but,
like Champlain, his impoi-tant work on this coast has
escaped the notice of the standaixl historians of the United
States. To one of Smith's subordinates, Capt. Hunt, who
commanded one of the vessels of liis Heet, is due an act of
aggressive hostility which wju* a fruitful source of difficulty
and danger to those who subsequently visited these shores.
Hunt, while at Nausct, pei-fidiously inveigled a company of
natives on board his vessel, and setting sail, carried them to
Malaga, Avhere they were sold into slavery, at twenty pounds
per head. It was many years before the Indians forgot this
act of perfidy, and Hunt's unoffending successors had to
atone for his bad faith and treacheiy.

Other adventurers, both French and English, explored
the coast of New England, from 1616 to 1619, and found a
terrible pestilence raging among the natives, many places
which had been populous now being depopulated, thus
interrupting trade, which was beginning to be active between
the natives and the traders of other nationalities. One of
-Sir Ferdinando Gorges's ships, commanded by Capt.
Thomas Deimer, in 1610, found many places before
populous, now uninhabited. Capt. Dermer brought with

18 CAFE COD.

him one of the victims of Hnut's treachery^ as Indian

named Tisquantum, who afterwards, under the more familiar
name of Squaoto, became very serviceable to the English
settlerd. Wbeii thi^ savage retuined after his exile to his
native place, he found all bis people dead ! At Monomoyick
(Chatbam) Dermer was taken prisoner by the Indians, but
succeeded in effecting his escape.

CHAPTER III.

THE MAYFLOWER'S COMPANY AND THEIR EXPLORATIONS.

The UuTflower iu <.'ai>e Cdtl burbor— The Soc-ial Compact— E^ nit
Bxploi'Ius Exiieilitiou— rirct Driuk of Xen' Eii^Iaud Wator—
Dl«joTery ol luiltau Cora — Setoiid Bii>1oratlou — D?i>ate of the
Scbeme of Sottliiifr in Truro — Tbird E:ti>«dltlon — Lauding at
BiIUux«sate— The Ftr*l E:i<.-Oiinter— Voyage to and Return from
Plymmith — First Birth mul PirH Death—VUlt to Xnu*et tn fenrob
of Lout Boy — Eiit^rtniiied liy lyouough- Expeditions to Moiio-
moyiok, Xaii«et, Unuom^i —Panic Amoiiic the ludiauii- Deatb of
lyauoiifrh— Wrwck of the E!i>uiTuwtiawlc— Tiadiug Poit at Maiioiuet
— Great Storm of 1C35.

X tbe nth of ^'ovemlie^, lti20, old
titylc, as is n-ell loiown to the Englitth
speukiiig race, the Alayflnwer, with the
Pilgiim Fathers on board, after &
f boisteixius passage of sixty-three days,
^ cast aiK'hor in Proviacetowu harbor. la
V Muuit's lielation, in a dc^icriptiou of the
voyage, from the pen ot Bradford, we
are told how it appeared to the Pilgrim
Fathers: "It is a good harbor and pleosaut bay, circled,
round, except in tJie entrance, which is about four mile»
over from land to land, compassed about to the very sea^
nith oaks, pines, juniper, sassafras, and other sweet wood.
It is a harbor wherein a thousand sail of ships may safely
ride. There we relieved ourselves with wood and water,
and refreshed our people while our shallop ivas fitted to
coast tbe bay, to searcli for an habitation ; there was the
greatest store of fowl that ever we saw. And every day

a> CAPE fOD.

we saw whales playinsj hard by us, of which, in that place,
if wo bad iiistmmciild aiul umaiis tu take them we might
have Qiade a very ritli return, which to our great gncf, we
wanted. Our um-stt'v sinil his mute, iind others experienced
in fishing, pi-ofeoseJ tliat we might liuve made three or four
thousnnd pounds ivoith of oil ; they preferred it !>cfore
Greenland wiiide tishing, ond |»urpOtied the next winter to
fish for whale liere." Unlike Gosuold, tliey found no cod,

■nor other fish. Ho continues the nai-mtive: "The l>ay
was so round and circlinjr thut before we could come to
anchor we went roniul all the jToints of the compass. We
could not come near the shore by three-quartei-s of ao
English mile, becau:ie of shallow water, which was a great
prejudice to us, for our people going on shore were forced
to wade a bow-shoot or two in going aUnd, which caused
many to get colds and cough*, for it was ninny times

UAYrLOVrEH COMPANY AND THKIR EXPLORATIONS. 21

freezing cold weather." He afterwards says, "It brought
much sickness amongst us/' and doul»tlcp?s led to some of
the deaths Avhich occuiTcd in Pl^Tiiouth.

Before the Mayflower, came to anchor, observing that
some, who were not of the Leyden company, were not
disposed to acknowledge that any authorit}' existed for
governing them, as the place of lauding was not within the
limits of the patent of Virginia, "it M'as thought good that
we (they) should combine together in one body, and to
submit to such government and governors as Ave should by
common consent agree to make and choose," after solemnly
invoking the throne of gnice, they entered into the following
compact, to which foity-one persons, including all the males
of age, subscribed, as a basis of government :

In the name of God, Amen.

We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of
our dread soverei^rn Lord Kins: James, bv the irracc of God
of Great Britain, Franco, and Ireland, King, defender of
tLe faith, etc., havinir undertaken for the o:lorv of God and
advancement of the Christian faith, and the honor of our
king and country, a voj'age to plant the first colony in the
noilhern parts of Virginia ; do l)y these presents solemnly
and mutually, in the presence of God, and one another,
covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body
politic, for our better ordering and presentation and
furtherance of the ends aforesaid : and by virtue hereof do
enact, constitute, and frame such just and e<|ual laws,
ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices from time to
time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the
general good of the colony ; unto which we promise all due
submission and obedience.

In witness Avhereof wc have hereunto subscribed our
names at Caj>e Cod, the 11th of Noveml>er, in the year of

•»

CAPE COD.

the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James of England,
Fi-ance, and Ireland, the eighteenth and of Scotland the
fifty-fourth, Anno Domini 1620.

Mr. Joiix Carver.
Wm. Bradford.
ilr. Edward Wixslow.
Mr. William Brewster.
Mr. Isaac Allertox.
Capt. i\IiLES Staxdish.
JoHx Aldkx.
Mr. Sa3iuel Fuller.
Mr. Christopher Martix.
Mr. William Mullixs.
Mr. William White.
Mr. Richard Warrex.
JoHX Howlaxd.
Mr. Stefhex IIopkixs.
Edward Tilly.
John Tilly.
Francis Cooke.
Thomas Rogers.
Thomas Tinker.
John Ridgedale.
Edward Fuller.

John Turner.
Francis Eaton.
James Chilton.
John Craxton.
John Billinoton.
Moses Fletcher.
eToHN Goodman.
Degory Priest.
Thomas Williams.
Gilbert Winslow.
Edmund Margeson.
Peter Bro>>'x.
Richard Britteridge.
George Soule.
Richard Clarke.
Richard Gardiner.
John Allerton.
THOM.VS English.
Edward Dotey.
Edward Leister.

Much has been wiitten by speculative theorists, in relation
to this simple act of the Pilgrim adventurers, who probably
did not imagine they were performing a pai-t which by
posterity would be regarded as a new dcpailure in the
science of self-government. Their action was so simple
and unpretentious, and grew so naturally out of their posi-
tion and necessities that it did not require elaborate explana-
tion. But its results cannot be overestimated. "This,"

PBOBABLB IXICALmn AB DESCRIBED

IIOTTRT'B KSUtTKOI,^

ft Place where the women wiubed. Ii Where thej nair the Indiana
BUd tht< doft. c Wooilii Into whif^h tlie Iiirtinun rau. d Hill which th«
Inilinnii i^n lip. e Wlicre the Itrst cxpeditlnn Pi>eut the first night.
t Sprint; where Ibey drxiik their first New Eopluud water, g Where
they built their sli^a) firp. h Wbore the !iecoud iii;:bt was spent, and
tlie kettle suiik in Iho puiid. i Dner-trap in which Brhdf ord wa* oftughi.
j '"PlaiiiupTfmudfllfortheplow." k Fir.Jtmouiitt opened, which prOTed
tobeaRmve. 1 Where thtty duf( up lhi> com, and found the kettle,
m Where tbeT iinw the two enuoes, and where the fei'ond expedition
landed. 11 Where tliey found the old pnliiiade. o ^viK^ri^ tbe ant
nlphtof the KCDiid e.\pt-diliou was ^pviil. p Where Ihe second night
of the second expedition was spent, q Where the eighteen who re-
malued spent the third night, r The place of grftTed on the "pl^ne

24 CAPE COD.

says John Quincy Adams, ''is perhaps the only instance in
human historj', of that positive, original social compact,
which speculative philosophers have imagined as the only
legitimate source of government.*' Its adoption was
followed by the election of John Carver for governor for
one year.

The same day, fifteen or sixteen armed men, went on shore
to gather wood, and explore the country. They found the
place "to be a small neck of land," "the ground sand hills,
much like the downs in Holland, but much better, the crust
of the earth a spit's depth, excellent black earth all wooded
with oaks, pines, sassafras, juniper, birch, holly, vines,
some ash, walnut; the wood for the most part open and.
without imderwood, tit either to go or ride in." But they
found no human beings, and returned with a boat laden
with juniper, "which smelled very sweet and strong."

The next day was the Sabbath, which was kept in the
accustomed way by the voyagers. The men commenced the-
next week's Avork by landing a shallop, which they had
brought with them in sections, while the >vomen went
ashore to wash clothes. The work of putting together the
shallop progressed so slowly that the more active members
of the company became impatient and devised plans for
more thoroughly exploring the surrounding country. Capt.
IMiles Standish and sixteen others, armed and provisioned,
set off Dec. 15, on what seemed to be regarded as an
exficdition attended by some degree of peril. They had
proceeded but a little way, when they observed several.

ground." s The place of the two houses where thev fou!if! the deer's
eadii. t Where the third expediliou pus.^^ed the iir»t iii^ht. u The
two "becks" that "one might r-tride over." v Wh»»re l!n\v ftiniid the
grampu? ou the :»aud.<. w Pla<-e of the pnUsade of ^niVes **like a
churchyard." x *• More corn ground" aud Ii<ni>'es7 y Where t lie third
expeditiou passed the second night, and had the llrit encounter with
the ludiund.

MAYFLOWER COMPANY AND THEIR EXPLORATIONS. 26^

Indians and a dog coming towards them, but the Indians
retreated inward and whistled the dog after them. They
followed the Indians, hut did not oveilake them, and.
encamped near Stout's Creek, at East Harbor. The next
morning they pui*sued their journey, through thick and
tangled underbrush, finding no springs for a long time, but
at the valley at East Harbor village they record tliat, with
great relish, they partook of the first drink of New England
water. They also found land suitable for planting and signa
that it had been used for that purpose. They also found
mounds which, upon examination, proved to be an Indian
burial place. Still further on they found a deposit of com
in baskets and a gi'cat kettle, which prol)ab]y had belonged
to some ship. They filled with com the kettle, and took it
away with them ; the rest they left as they had found it.
Farther on they saw two canoes, and "an old fort or
palisade, made by some Christians," as they thought. They
retumed that evening as far as Pond village, where they
encamped for the night, having passed as far as Pamet
Ebrbor, in Truro. In the morning they sunk their kettle in
the pond. In pursuing their journey home, Willian^
Bradford was caught by the leg in a deer-trap which had.
been set by the Indians. They reached their vessel after a
wearisome march, and delivered their com into the store to-
be kept for seed, the chronicler of the voyage saying that
they proposed as soon as they could meet any of the owners
to repay them, which to their honor they subsequently did^

The next week was spent in preparing timber for a new
boat. The weather was cold and stormy, and they
experienced much discomfort in going ashore; having no
boat, they wet their feet and contracted "'coughs and colds,
which afterwards turned to scurvy."

On Monday of the following week twenty-four of the^

28 CAPE COD.

company in the shallop, and the ship-master and ten of his
men in the long boat, set forth for further exploration along
the shore. They came to Pamet Harbor again, and
discussed the feasibility of the place for a settlement ; but
the idea was abandoned, in consideration of ^ the insufficiency
of the place for the accommodation of large vessels and the
uncertainty as to the supply of fresh water.** During this
expedition they again visited the com deposit from which
they had formerly helped themselves, and took what
remained there, and also visited a burial place in which they
found the remains of a European, as was evidenced by the
light color of his hair, besides visiting several of the
dwellings of the natives, but without encountering any of
the inhabitants.

Dec. 6th, a third voyage of discovery, the company
including Carver, Bradford and others, was commenced.
They did not land until they passed Billingsgate Point, and
when they reached the shore, they found some Indians
cutting up a grampus, who fled on discovering the English.
They encamped for the night, and the next day explored
the region round about Eastham, discovering a burial place
of considerable extent. That night they heard ^a great and
hideous cry," which caused them to arm, but concluded the
noise was made by foxes and wolves. About 5 o'clock in
the morning they heard a strange cry, and one of the
company being abi*oad came running in, and cried, '"Indians,
Indians ! " and at once their arrows came flying amongst the
company, who hastily seized their arms. The cry of
the enemies was dreadful; but after the English had
discharged their pieces the Indians retired, except one lusty
savage, who stood his ground until after several shots had
been fired at him. The English then followed the enemy
ior about a quarter of a mile, and picked up eighteen

MAYFLOWER COMPAXY A>T) THEIR EXPLORATIONS. 27

.arrows, 8ome of which were headed with hrass, liarts' horn
and eagles* claws. The place where this skirmish occurred
was called the "First Eneountor.** It is situated on the
north side of Great ^leadow Creek, in the town of Easthara,
not far from the mouth. From this point the voyagers
coasted along to Plymouth, passing Barnstable harbor, as
Mourt states, in a thick snow-storm, otherwise they might
have entered and settled there. Dec. 11, they sounded
Plymouth harbor and found it fit for shipping, and having
explored the region round a1>ont, and finding some fields and
running brooks, they deemed the place suitable for settlement,
and returned to the ship Avith the news of the result of their
discovery.

They found upon their return, that Mistress William
White had during their absence been delivered of a son, who
was called Peregrine, the first child born of English patents
in New England ; and that the wife of William Bradford had
&Ilen over))oard and dro^vned. Besides' these occurrences,
Edward ThtJmpson died Dec. 8. Thus arc recorded the
first birth and the first deaths of the coloni.-ts, all of these
occurring in Cai)e Cod harbor. On the 15th of Dec. O. S.,
the Mayflower sailed from Cape Cod harbor for Plymouth,
to which place is tnm.sferrcd the interest *which attaches to
their sul>sequcnt history' and achievements, in some of whichj
however, the Cape bore an intimate and important part.

We hear verj' little more from the Cai>e for several months
after the landing of the Pilgrims at Pl)'mouth. In the
following spring, Samosct, whose sudden api>earance to the
settlers and his greeting, "Welcome, Englishmen !** have so
often been commemorated in history and on canvas, gave
them the information tliat the Indians who had attacked them
the previous season were the Xansets, who were incensed
against the English because of the treachery of Capt. Hunt,

:» CAPE COD.

Smith's subordinate, which has ok'eady been adverted to.
He s»aid that, l^eaiuse of Hunt's conduct, sevei'al months
before the coming of the Pilgrims, these Indians had put to
death three Kngl5s«hnion who had fallen into their hands, and
that two others had ayeiled a like fate by making theii*
escape to ]Monhegan.

In July, 1G21, a boy named John Billington lost his way
in the woods near Plymouth, and for a long time search was
made for him in vain. Receiving information that he was
somewhere on the Cape, an expedition of ten men set foith
in search of him. They put into Barnstable Harbor, where
their boat was dr}' at low water. Seeing some Indians a
short distance off, seeking lobsters, they sent forward tT\'o
Indians who were with them, as interpreters, to communicate
the object of the expedition. The Indians told them the
boy was at Xauset, and extended an invitation to the English
to go ashore and accept their hospitalities, which the visitors
did. After the exchange of hostages they sent for their
sachem, lyanough, who joined them, and who 'is described
by AVinslow, as '" a man not exceeding twenty-six years of
age, personable, gentle, courteous and fair-conditioned;
indeed, not like a savage except in his attire. His condition
was answemble to his pai-ts, and his cheer plentiful and
various." Here they found an old woman not less than a
hundred years old, who was the mother of one of Hunt's
victims, and who bewailed in piteous tones the loss of her
child, and whom thej" tried to ai)pcase by coinfoiting
messages and presents. After dinner the expedition
proceeded to Xauset, lyanough and two of his men accom-
panying them. Their boat groimded near the Xauset .shore,
and the Indians came out to meet them; but the English
were pro[)erly guarded in their inteixjoursc. Aspinet, sachem
of the Xauscts, subsequently came to the boat, bringing the

MAYFLOWER COMPANY AND THEIR EXPLORATIONS. 29

boy who Avas the object of their search, and after the exchange
of courtesies, tlie natives dei>aii;ed. While at Xauset they
found the owners of the com they had helped themselves to
the pixjccding neason, and made arrangements to make
restituticm. Uinni the homeward trip they again stopj^d at
Cummaquid Avith lyanough, who brought water to them with
his own hand, the women and children of his tribe joining
hands and dancin<r before them. Ivanoujcrh showed his
kindness bv takins: a nnilet and leadinof the seamen some
distance in the dark for water. The men also showed them
honor, lyanough himself taking a bracelet from his neck and
hanging it upon the neck of one of the English. The
Englisli then started for home, but made little progi'ess, and
agaui returned for water. Tliej* were still further enter-
tained by lyanough l>efore their linal departure.

Jlost of the Cane Indians soon after cave in their adhesion
to the English, and a good understanding was established.
TMien the ship Fortune arrived at Cai>e Cod in November of
the same year (1()21), the Indians bix)ught word of the event
to Phinouth before the ship reached there.

In Novem1>cr, 1622, a famine 1>eing imminent among the
PhTnouth settlers, detennined them to seek bread from the
Indian tribes. Gov. Bradford was in charge of the
exjxjdition, which embarked in the Swan, belonging to the
Wessasrusset settlers, and in the interest of both communities.
Provided with knives and l^ads for traffic, they essayed to
go around Caj^e Cod. Tliey encountered stonny weather,
and put into the harlyor of [Monomoyick, and the Governor,
M'ith Squanto and others, went on shore, staid all night, and
tr-ifficked with the Indians, obtaining eight hogsheads of com
and ])eans. Here Squanto, their early friend and faithful
guide and inteii)rcter, was taken sick and died. They sailed
from here to the Massachusetts, but could not trade to

30 CAPE COD.

advantage, and ititumcd again to Capo Cod. At Nauset
they obtained more corn and beans ; and at ^lattacheesett an
additional supply'. While at Nauset tlioir shallop was cast
away, and they were obliged to stack and cover their grain,^
leaving it in charge of the Indians, since tliey had no means-
of getting it on 1>oard the ship. They procured a guide and.
set out on their journey of fifty miles on foot, receiving all
respect from the natives by the Avay ; and Aveaiy, and with-,
galled feet, arrived safely at Pl}^nouth. Three days after^
the Swan arrived, bringing the com first obtained at
Monomoyick.

In January, 1G23, another joint ex][^dition started, with
Standish in command, the weather I)eing bitterly cold and
stormy. They found at Xauset their cast-away shallop and
repaired it, and the corn they had stored was also found and
got on board. The Indians having, as Standish thought,
stolen "some trifles," he demanded restitution in the most
peremptory manner, which was complied with, and the
sachem expressed great sorrow at the occ^urrence.

In Februarj', their com still running short,' Standish went
with six men in a shallop to Mattacheese,* to procure a supply.
Their shallop was frozen up the first night of their arrival..
The captain, for sufficient cause, became suspicious of the
fidelity of the natives, and kept a strict watch over them ;.
some few trinkets being missed he called the natives to
account, and the missinir articles were restored, and com
sufficient to load his shallop was afterwards easily procured.

The governor, with an Indiim, Hobomoc, went sooa
after to Manomet, (now Bourne), twenty miles south of
Plymouth, to procure more com. He was entertained

•Mattacheese si;;uifles old Inuds, or plautiup; hinds, and the terminal
t or tt, as lu Mattrtoheesett, mean?, ou the border.^ of the jea. There is
Ao much variation in the ancient «]»eUing of aU proper xnimeA that
uuiformitj of orthography iis difiicult to attain.

UAYFLOWEB COMPANY AND THEIR EXPLORATIONa Sb

hospitably by Canacam, the chief of this place, lodging hero-
in a bitter cold night, and 1>ought some com which he was
compelled to leave in charge of the natives. In March^
Capt. Standish went to Manomet to procure the com the
governor had left there, entering Scusset harl3or, where he
left tlio shallop in charge of two or three men, and with two
or three more went inland to the habitation of Canacmu*
He had not been there long before he perceived he was much,
less hospitably received than the governor had been. Pres->-
ently two Massachusetts Indians made their ap^^earance, one
of whom, Wittuwamet by name, the Plymouth men well
knew. His demeanor to Standish was most insulting. He
talked violently, tliough incoherently to Canacum, drew a
knife which hung around his neck and presented it to his
host. He was, it subsequently appeared,, complaining of
outrages committed by the English at Wessagusset, and
urged Canacum to take advantage of this op][X)rtunity to
cut off Standish and his party. Standish, knowing that
these circumstances forebode danger, then made ready to
return to his shallop. The Indian women, by some small
presents, were induced to assist in convejnng the com to the
landing-place, and there the party had to wait until next
morning. It was an anxious night for Standish, tod he did
not close his eyes. "With a mere handful of men, in aOt
unfriendly neighborhood, the situation was critical. Hie
sachem Canacum and his ally from the Massachusetts tribe
were reinforced by a Paomet Indian, the oppressive friendl]f-<
ness of whose cannage was as suspicious as the open,
hostilit}" of Wittuwamet. He not only insisted on coming
down to the shore with the English, but had voluntarily
carried some com, an ignominious act for a male Indian
warrior; making a pretext of the cold he remained with
them, crouching before tlieir fii*e. All these things* led

a3 CAPE COD.

Standish to believe in the existence of a dangerous plot,
and drove sleep from his eyes. When morning dawned the
party embarked and arrived safely at Plymouth.

In consequence of infonnation received from Massasoit,
imparted to Hobomoc, of a plot against the English, in
which not only AVittuwamet and others, but the Cape Indians
at Manomet and Paomet were implicated, Standish was
authorized to proceed to deal with the conspimtors, which
he did in his usual prompt and sanguinary manner.
Proceeding to Weymouth, he summarily dispatched
Wittuwamet and several of his followers, Imnsrino: the head
of the former as a trophy to Plymouth. The news of this
massacre created dire consternation amonsr the Indians alonsr
the sea-coast. Thev forsook their homes, ran to and fro in
bewilderment and fear, and living in swamps and deserts,
contracted diseases of which many of them died. Thus
miserably perished Canacum, sachem of i^Linomct ; Aspinet
of Xauset; and the courteous and hospitable lyanough, of
Mattacheese, whose fate is the more to be deplored 1>ecause
there seems to be no evidence to connect him with the plots
In which the other sachems were involved, ^fore than two
and a half centuries after the death of lyanough, the
remains of a chieftain were exhumed near a swamp, in what
is known as lyanough's town, in ancient Mattacheese (East
Barnstable village,) and the circumstances under which these
relics were found, point irresisti!)ly to the conclusion that
they were the remains of Ij'-anough. They were gathered
up with tender care, enclosed in a case, and deposited in
Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, side bj' side with relics of Standish
and others of the Pilgrims, who brought him to a tragic and
miserable death.

The transactions for some time after the sanguinary events
related, naturally inteniipted the trade and intercourse

HATIXOWKB COMPANY AXD THEIR EXPLORATION& S3

between the English and the natives. Some further efforts
in that direction were attemjitcd, but resultetl iu di^ip^wint-
ment and failure.

In Decemljer, 1626, the ship Sparrowhavvk, with a
considerable number of i>n-S6ouger:j, from London, bound for
Virginia, was stranded u|K)n a flat at what was then Htyled
Monomo^'ick, but whii-h is now the easterly part of Orleans.
Hie master being sick, they had lost their vcay and had
neither wood nor water on board,- had steered for the shore,

THX SPADmOWIIAWK.

and had run over the shoals, they knew not how. Tbey
came directly before the small liar)x>r at Potuuumaquut, and
run on a flat close to the beach, not knowing whore thoy
were. The savages on shore came to them iu their canoes.
The Englishmen were at first inclined to be giianlcd in their
intercourse, but the Indians diaanned their fear^ by asking if
they were "the Governor of PI_j-.uomli's men " and offering
to assist them and carry letters to Plymouth. Tlie Indians,

U CAPE COD.

according to their ability, supplied the strangei*8 with all
they needed. The governor of Plymouth, having received
the intelligence, came, \nth others, to their aid, bringing all
the materials asked for. The season being unpropitious for
going around the Cape he landed near the liottom of the bay,
at Namskeket Creek, between the pi'eseut towns of Brewster
and Orleans, whence it was not more than two miles
across the Cape to the bay where the ship lay. The Indians
carried the things he brought over land to the ship. The
governor bought of the Indians a lot of com to supply the
needs of the shii)'s cumi>any, and aiso to load their boat
before returning home. The Sparrowhawk being repaired
and ready to proceed, a gi*eat stoim arose and drove her
further on shore, by which catastrophe she was so badly
shattered that she was rendered unfit for sea. The result
was that all came to Plymouth, whither also their goods
were tmnsported, and where they remained until the next
spring. Two hundred and thirty-seven j'ears after the
wreck of the S[)arrowhawk, by one of those geological
changes on the coast which are the characteristic features of
Cape Cod, her hull, in a remarkable state of preservation,
was uncovered from tlie drifting sand and afterwards
removed, together with a number of articles which were
found, in or near it, such as a quantity' of beef and mutton
bones, several soles of leather, shoes, a smoking pipe of
the kind used by smokers of opium, and a metallic box.
These interesting relics are now deposited in Pilgrim Hall,
Plymouth. The spot where this ancient hulk was exhumed
had from time immemorial been known as ^'Old Ship
Harbor," for what reason the present generation, until this
time, was unaware.

In the 3'ear 1627 the Plymouth colony company built a
small pinnace at Manomet, a place within the present town

MAYFLOWER COMPANY AXD THEIR EXPLORATIONS. S&

of Bourao, situated on a river runnin<^ into Buzzards Bay,
on the southern bank of which the}' also built a house, and
kept some sen^auts, who planted com and reared swine,
and were ready to go with the l)ark at any time on the
trading exjTeditions in which the colonists were engaged.
Here for many years a profitable traflSc with the Indians was
maintained, and from this point the intercourse with the
Dutch settlers at New York was first opened. From
PljTiiouth to Scusset Harbor was an easy voyage by water,
and from this i>oint to the navigable waters of Manomet
River was only three or four miles. By this route, in the
language of Governor Bradford, they were enabled to
** avoid the compassing of Cape Cod and those dangerous
shoals, and so make any voyage to the southward in much
shorter time and with less danger.'' From that time to this,
the route through the Manomet valley has l)een associated
in the mincis of men witli the project to construct a canal,
and thus to avoid the dangers of navigation around the
Cape. Here, in September of 1627, came Isaac De Kazier,
secretarj" of the Dutch government of New Amsterdam,
with a vessel laden with sugar, stuffs, etc., and Governor
Bradford sent a boat to Scusset Harbor to convey him
thence to Plymouth. He wrote an account of the Plymouth
colony which has come down to us, and which is the best
picture extant of the place and the people. After tliis, the
Dutch came often to Manomet, and a profitable trade was
for some years carried on between them and the Plymouth
people.

The Cape was often resorted to for years by the Plymouth
settlers, particularly for the procurement of com, for which
its soil was well adapted, and somewhat bitter controversies
arose between the Massachusetts and Plymouth colonists, in
regard to this traffic, the latter claiming the right to the

S8 CAPE COD.

trade in this territory, as being mthin the exclosive juris-
diction of tlicir government. In one of tbese expeditions,
Bichard Garrett and his company, from Boston, were cast
away on the Ca;>c, and some of them died from hardship
and exposure. Tlie Indians buried the (lend \ntli great
propriety, to save tlie bodies fi-om being devoured by wild
beasts, although the ground was deeply frozen, i-equiring
great labor in digging the grarca. The survivore were
literally " nursed back to life," so neai-ly perished were they ;
and when they were sufficiently recovered, the Indians
kindly conducted them to Plymouth. These ciroumstances
indicate the pacitic character of the natives after the tragical
events of 1622-3.

Among the memorable events of this early period was
the great stoim of 1635, such, says Bi-adford, "as none
living in these parts, cither English or Indians, ever saw,
causing the sea to swell above twenty feet right up, and
made many inhabitants climb into tlie trees. It took the
roof of a house at Manomet, and put it in another place."
"It blew down many thousands of ti-ees, breaking th&
higher pines in the middle, teaiiTig the stroriger nut's up by
the roots. The wrecks of it" says the writer, "will remain
for a huudred years. The moon suffered a great eclipse the
second night after it." It was in this storm that Anthony
Thaclier, one of the future fiettlers of Yarmouth, was
, shipwrecked at Cajw Ann, at what was henceforth knonTi
as Timchcr's Island, north of Boston Harbor, and hU wife
y w and children Mere enjrulfed in the raging waters.

CHAPTER IV.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

OecUratlou of BigUtit— Settlement of Smidwlfli. Tarmouth, Bsrmtnble
mill Eacttaoin— Dlt>i>iiteit ou Tlieology aa<\ DivUiou of Lands — Mr.
Hull mid the Viirmoiith Dhienter; — Rcpresciitutlre Gorprument
A(1opt«d — Geiteml Court bulda n se^siou iu Ydi'moiith— Wnrlike
luiliauo— Uilitnr; Morcmeitt?— Rales of obarges for the seTeral
I Dims.

'^ ^* O the year 1637, no organized settlement

-O''-^*^ liad been effected on the Cape. The court

1 Skz^^^X'^ records and iucideiital writinge of the time

w^'^i^d give evidence that the region was consid-

'^^ "' '- «KibIy resorted to by fishermen, traders

^is^ti^ ' t T-; ^<^M» and roving adventm-ers, and it seems

^i'' "'^*i-^ probai)le that residents bad in a few cases

'^^^'i^^^ established themselves in some parts of the

■ J^ff" couutj'. Those who did so, acted without

the authority of the PIiTnoiith magistrates, and were

regarded as inti-uders and trespassers. An exception to this

remark was the occupation, in 1G27, of the southern shore

of Manomet river, for a ti'adiag post.

The laws and gorcrnmcDtal institutions of the colonj
were not at this time adapted to a couimiinity of separate
municipalities under a central head. The limits of political
rights or authority were not dctined. A few regulations,
called for as the exigencies arose, had been temjMrarily
made, and though the colonists were suj^jwsed to be
governed by the laws of England, they were not verj- well
ttuderstood : and the code of ^Moscs was followed, rather

38 CAPE COD.

than that of James. But as the colony expanded and as
new settlements were contemplated, the inconvenience of
this state of things was apparent. It became evident that
the civil power must be invoked, and the laws administered
with some degree of stability and regularity. Therefore,
Nov. 15, 1636, the Court of Associates promulgated the
following declaration :

''We, the associates of New Plymouth, coming hither as
free-bom subjects of the state of England, and endowed
with all and singular the privileges belonging to such, being
assembled, do ordain that no act, imposition, law, or
ordinance, be made or imposed on us, at the present or to
come, but shall be made or imposed by the consent of the
body of associates, or their representatives, legally assembled,
which is according to the liberties of the state of England."

This document, it will 1>e seen, is a viii;ual declaration of
independence. The authority of the laws of England,
"present and to come," were not only ignored, but Parlia-
ment was by implication denied the right to legislate for the
colony. It was there provided that an election for governor
and assistants should be held on the first Tuesday of June
annually, the choice to be exercised by such as should be
admitted as freemen ; and none were to be admitted except
such as were "orthodox in the fundamentals of religion," and
possessed of a ratable estate of twenty pounds. The votes
were to be given in i^erson or by proxy, at Plymouth.
Jurisdiction of cases under forty shillings was given to the
governor with any two assistants, " to try and do as God may
direct," not according to the common law of England nor
any other statutes or regulations ; the trial of large cases or
offenses was to remain with the whole body of freemen, by
juries. No other executive officer was provided for but the
constable, who was invested with large powers. No person

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 80

was to }ye peimitted to ^ live or inhabit within the government,
without the leave and liking" of the governor and assistants.
This assumption of the authority to exclude unwelcome
visitors or residents, as we :shall see hereafter, was the cause
of much trouble in the future, and was exercised in such a
manner as to lead to fiei^ce controversy and ci>il commotion.
It was derived from no charter or patent by any power
entitled to exercise acts of sovereignty, but was assumed by
the goveraing classes in the colony, at their own will and
pleasure. The colony at this time, consisted of three towns —
Plymouth, Duxbury and Scituate. Such were the legal
conditions preceding the settlement of the Cape.

The first English settlement on the Cape was effected in
Sand>rich. April 3*, 1637, lil>erty was given to the men of
Saugus, viz. : Edmund Freeman, Ilenry Feakc, Thomas
Dexter, Edward Dillingham, William AVood, John Carmen,
lUchard Chadwell, William Almy, Thomas Tupper, George
Knott, '^to view a place to sit down, and have sufficient
lands for threescore families,'* ujwn ccmditions proiX)unded
to them bv the governor and Mr. Winslow. These men
subsequently selected the region afterwards knoAvn as
Sand^nch, for the place of their location. With the ten
men first named came fifty other "undertakers," as the new
citizens were called, chiefly from Lynn, or Saugus, Duxbuiy
and Plymouth, most of them bringing their families. The
names of such of these as are still found in the town were,
George Allen, Anthony Besse, Robcii: Bodfish, Richard
Bourne, John Briggs, Thomas Burge, Heniy Ewer, John
Fish, Jonathan Fish, Natluuiiel Fish, Andrcvr Hallct, William
Ilarlow, Joseph Holway, Thomas lenders, Benjamin Nye,
James Skiff, John ^^'ing, Peter Wright. A little later
came John Ellis, Thomas Gil»])s, William Swift, Thomas
Tobej', ^Villiam Basset, Ezra Perry. Tliese men as a class

40 CAPE COD.

were of more tolemnt and liberal spirit than characterized
the <rovci*nin<; classes of the ^lassachusetts settlers, a
circumstance which probably had a controling influence upon
the selection of this place for a permanent residence.

The settlement does not seem to have been completely
effected until the subsequent year. Some preparation for
the occupancj" of the I'egion was made. But this was done
in the orderly, decorous way that met the approbation of the
court. Two men who wei*e laboring to clear up the ground
for future use, but who had not received permission of the
iiuthorities, and were without their families, were presented
** for disorderly keeping house alone."

In ^larch of the following j^car Mr. John Alden and
Capt. Miles Standish were directed to "go to Sandwich with
all convenient speed, and set forth the l)ounds of the lands
granted there." That the establishment of a church was
coeval with the settlement seems evident, Mr. William
Leverich ]>einff of that town in June, 1638. The court was
disposed to exact of every community established by its
authority, the most rigid compliance with the rules and
regulations which had l.>een ordained for the government of
the v»'hole, and tlie Sandwich settlers soon found that its
recent occupation, and the unavoidable conditions of a new
settlement would not be taken as an excuse for any
delinquenccs. The record of 1G38 infonns us that several
of the townsmen, among them some of the foremost citizens,
were fined for not having their swine ringed, and for " being
deficient in arms."

In ]March of the next year, by order of the court, the
meadow lands in Sandwich, which had been previously laid
forth, were again divided ''by equal propoitions, according
to each man's estate," some of the townsmen being added
to the committee in making the apportionment. It was an

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 41

unequal system of division, founded upon the rule, "to him
that hath shall he given," and it is not strange that in
Septcml)er following complaint shoidd have been made to
the court. The cause of complaint was not, however, so
much in relation to the inequality, as to the fact that they
had received into the town diveit* persons, all but very few
"unfit for church society;" and the committee were
summoned to ajipcar and answer to the same, and, in the
meanwhile, were oixlcred not to dispose of any more land
there, nor to convey an}' of their own lands to any other
person. xVt the ensuing Octol)cr couil the complaints were
considered. Mr. Thomas Prence and Capt. Jililes Standish
were apiK>inted to hear and detennine the controversies
among tlic committees and inhabitants of the to^vn. No
record is made that any one was dispossessed. One party,
who was occupying a lot needed for "a public use,*" had his
land taken, bv ^ivina* him its full value.

Tlic neck called iloonuscaulton w:as rcseiTcd to the town
as a common, for the pastui-age of young cattle ; and also
Sliawme Neck, Ivinir between the rivers of Shawme and
Manuscusset, for a common, alhiwing the inhabitants to take
wood therefrom. And it was ordered that no other inhabi-
tants should "l>e received into town or have hinds assigned
them by the committee, ^vilhout the consent of Mr. Lcverich
and the church had been obtained," and that none of the
inhabitants should sell their estate to be occupied by any
person except he 1x5 genemlly approved by the whole town.
And for the preventing t)f "dangers, evils or discords that
may happen in the disposjd of lands or other occasions
within the town," it was agreed tliat in future some one of
the assistants should be joined with the committees for
advice and direction, ]Mr. Thomas Prence l)eing appointed
for the present. The division of the meadow lands was

42 CAPE COD.

made in April, 1640, five of the committee, five of the^
townsmen, with Mr. Pi-ence, performing tliut duty, taking
into consideration each man's ^estate and quality," as well as -
his "necessitj" and abilitj'." The assignments ranged from.
42 acres to Mr. Edmund Fi*eeman, to one acre each to
various persons, 5 acres being assigned to ^Ir. Leverich, the
pastor.

From this time forward until 1651 the annals of the town.
were uneventful. That year *'the conditions on which the-^
grant of the township was made, having 1)een fulfilled, a
deed of the plantation was executed by Gov. Bradford to
Ml*. Edmund Freeman, who made conveyances to his
associates." The records give indication of the prompt
erection of a house of worship, for as early as 1644, a .
meeting was held to decide whether to build a new meeting*
house or i-epair the old one,, which latter course was adopted.^
At a still later period a levy of £5 was made to pait off Mr.
Leverich's house with boards, "which was long since
promised him." This admission, and others of the same
tenor, show some degree of remissness on the part of the
people in the support of the minister. That such a state of
things should occur in a new settlement, engrossed with-
many cai-es and anxieties, docs not seem strange, and argues
no permanent declension in the sentiments of the people
towards one of the great objects wliich is supposed to have
impelled them to seek an asylum here.

An attempt to effect a settlement in ilattachcese or..^
Mattacheesett, was made in the fall of 1637-8, by Rev.
Stephen Bachelor and several others, .a large proportion of.
them, however, members of his own family, who were
connected with some of the settlers of Sandwich. The si>ot"
which they selected for their location was in the northeastern .
portion of the present town of BarnstaJjIe, near the seashore, ^

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. IT

in a locality which still bears the name of **01d Town.'^
Winthrop speaks of it as a portion of Yarmouth, and for
two or thi'ce j'^eai's after the settlement it did f oim a pail of
that tovnij until it was set off to Barnstable by a special
court held in Yanuouth, June 17, 1641. The weather of
the winter of 1638 was very severe, the settlement was-
undertaken without due preparation , and was abandoned in
the spring. Mr. Bachelor, then recently the pastor of Lynn,
at the advanced age of 76, travelled on foot the whole
distance from Lynn to Mattacheese, more than a hundred
miles, at an inclement season of the year. From Matta-
cheese, eai-ly in the spring be went to Newbury, and fourteen
years later, after a life of controversy and hardsliip, died in
England, at the age of ninet}'' years.

Early in 1639, i>ermission liaving been granted, the-
preceding December, to -cVnthony Thacher, John Crow and
Thomas Howes, who had associated with them ^Ir. Mardick
(^larmaduke) Matthews, and subsequently Samuel Rider,
Mr. Nicholas Simpkins, Giles Hopkins, Andrew Hallet and
others, the settlement of Yarmcuth commenced, under
favorable auspices. Mr. Hopkins was a son of Stephen.
Hopkins, and came over with his father in the ISIaj^ower,
in 1620. The previous year the elder Hopkins was granted
permission, by the couit, to erect a house and cut hay at
!Mattacheese, and have a lot there with the consent of the
committees for the place, and was in occupation when the
settlement commenced. This settlement seems to have
been effected without much controversy or any memorable-
incidents, and with the cordial cooperation of the court and.
authorities of Plymouth.

The town received some little attention, however, from-
the court in its initial period. It was forbidden that any
one should purchase two house-lots or more and have thenk

U CAPE COD.

iogether and maintain but one house upon them. This was
intended to niake the settlement compact, as a matter of
safety and precaution. Tlie townsmen were permitted to
keep their swine unringcd, they keeping them with a
herdsman, *^ until complaint he made of some huii: they had
done ;" and the constable was ordered to erect a pair of
stocks and a pound. By the close of 1640 some twenty-five
families were established there. As Mr. Matthews was one
of the first comei's, it seems most probable that the
establishment of the church was coeval with the settlement
of the town.

The founders of Yarmouth were men of such stabilitj- of
chanicter and in such close sympathj' >nth the authorities of
PljTiiouth, that they were al)le to sustain themselves in the
face of all disadvantages. The thi*ee grantees, Anthony
Thacher, John Crow* and Thomas Howes, were men of
solid and substantial character. Mr. Thacher had been a
curate of the parish of St. Edmunds, Salisbmy, had suffered
shipwreck in the storm of 1635, already adverted to, had
settled first in Xewlmry, then in ilarblchcad, whence
he came to Yarmouth. ]\ir. Crow is believed to have been of
that branch of the family which removed from Kent county
to 'Wales, and cajue to this phice from Charlcstown. !Mr.
Howes came over in 1635, when he was in Salem. The
familj' was an ancient and honorable one in Norfolk county,
England. From these men, and ^Ir. Andrew Hallct, James
Matthews, Samuel Ilider, Richard Soai-s, Edmund Hawes
and Fnmcis Baker, a large proportion of the present
inhabitants are descended.

The earlier years of the settlement of the town were
distracted bj^ the two proliiic sources of trouble incident to

^hU unme soon after began to be written Crowe, and about the
•third generation, Crowe U.— Hi«»tory of Old Yarmoulh.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 45.

New En'xlttud settlements — theolosjieal controversien and
disputes al)out land titles. A\'hich was the cause of tlio-
greater degree of di.<cussion it is difficult to decide, but
both combined sensed to embroil the settlement for the lii*st
ten yeai*s of its existence. The land question was the first
settled. Thacher, Crow and IIowcs, the three grantees^
were at the outset appointed by the court to be the hind
committee, and under instructions to *'make an equal
division to each man, according to his estate and
quality." This was a hard task for any three men. Each
person's estate could easily be settled ; but his quality, the
value of the ser^'ice he had rendered or was likely to render,
was so open to different constructions, that could they agree
upon it, those for whom they acted could hardly l>e expected
to acquiesce in their estimate. The malcontents appealed to»
the court, which thereupon added to tlie counnittee four
townsmen, Messrs. Nicholas Simpkins, ^Vm. Palmer, Philip
Tabor and Joshua Barnes. The enlarged committee still
failed to give satisfaction, w*hereupon Capt. Miles Standis&
was called upon, and invested with full powers. The
aiptain displayed in this emergency the same decision and
energy which he had evinced in his military career. In
]\Iay, 1648, having previously heard a great number of
cases, he announced his decision. Some parties were
ejected from lands they had occupied ; many of the former
grants of uplands and meadows were abrogated, and the
grants reverted to the town, and in some cases exchanges
were made. Standish's uuthoritv beinir absolute, no rcmon*
strance was accepted, and his award l)ecame at once
operative. For the future, the court ordered that "]Mn.
Starr, Wm. Nickerson and Kobert Dennis be added to the
committee of the town for the present year, and thenceforth
that each year the town choose a committee of thi'ee, without

t<

iG CAPE COD.

whose consent, or tluit of the remainder of them, no grants
of meadows or uplands should be made/' but in case the
future differences should become irreconcilable, they ** should
repair to Capt. Standish for instructions.'' Whether well
or ill-considered, this action was a final ^?ettlement of the
controversy which had so long and so unhappily divided the
•settlers in the early years of the torni.

The theological troubles of the people were not so easily
-or summarily composed. The settlement had hardly com-
jnenced before difficulties sprang up in the church. Mr.
Marmaduke Matthews, an educated and witty Welshman,
J but endowed with an indiscretion and latitude of sj^ech
which constantly subjected him to suspicion, was the first
minister, and from the beginning he was antagonized to a
considerable portion of the church, on grounds which it is
difficult at this length of time to full}' comprehend. He
•early had a controveray with William Chase, in which the
latter temporarily lost the favor of the majority, was
•superseded bj'' another in the office of constable, and came
near being forced to leave the town. Next we hear of
Thomas Starr, Hugh Tillej", Joshua Barnes and William
Nickerson being complained of by jNIr. Matthews's partisans
•as ^ scoff ei*s and jcerers at religion and making disorders at
town meeting;" but they were subsequently acquitted by
•the court. The opposition to j\Ir. Matthews then resulted
in the attempt to form another church and society in town.
Rev. Joseph Hull, who had exercised the office of minister
in Barnstable, before the advent of Mr. Lothrop, and who
had been virtuallj'' deposed by him, was invited to preach in
Yarmouth by those dissatisfied with the ministrations of Mr.
Matthews. Mr. Hull complied, but the unfriendly inter-
ference of the Barnstable church, defeated the armngement.
'The opposition to Mr. Matthews was by no means abated

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 47

"'by this intcix'cssion, and. after a checkered and turbulent
ouinistry of Imlf a dozen yearz», he was couii)elled to
j^linquish his charge, probably about the year 1646.

^Ir. Matthews'e> successor was llev. John Miller, who in
1649 l>ecame the minister of a people who h:id not as yet
Jiealed the differences which had so long divided them. ^Ir.
Miller was educated for the ministiy at Cambridge, England,
had resided at Boxburj' and-Bowley, and was one of the
seventy-seven mentioned by Cotton Mather, as in the actual
exercise of their ministry when^they left England. Owing
to the revival of the old discontents, a coimcil was called,
consisting of the most distinguished members of the Plj'mouth
and Massachusetts colonies, among them, Wilson of the First
church, Boston, Shepherd of Cambridge and John Eliot of
Boxtnirj', knoMTi as the Ai)ostle to the Indians. An adjustment
of the difficulties followed, although some traces of the
discontent sunnved for years thereafter. In 1651, Emanuel
White and Kol>ei-t Allen wei-e at the eoui-t chai-ged with
, villifying Mr. Miller, and wereaccjuittcd ; and the next year
Mr. Miller's opiwnents i*eturned the charge by having him
cited to answer for remarks in a seiinon against the govern-
ment. The court so far noticed this matter as to instruct the
jury to "make due inquiry to vindicate the government."
Xo further mention is made of the matter in the public
records, and the religious discontents* of the time gradually,
-though not wholly, subsided. ]Mr. Eliot, while engaged in
his pacific mission embraced the opportunity to commence
ids work of christianizing the Indians of this town, which he
prosecuted for some time with nmch -zeal and activity, in the
face of many difficulties and discouragements. With the
-settlement of the proprietorship of the lands, and in a large
degree of the ministerial troubles, Yaimouth commenced a
^career of steady growtli and prosperous development*

48 CAPE COD.

Barnstable, the regioa lying between Sandwich and
Yarmouth, was settled in the early part of 1G39. The
first comers were Elder Thomas Dimmock, who was there in
March of that year, and Rev. Joseph Hull, who arrived two
months later. To them the court gmnted the lands in the
town, on the usual conditions and with the customary
restrictions. The lauds in the eastern portion of the town
were sometime in 1G37-8 surveyed by Mr. CoUicut of
Dorchester, to whom a grant of them had lieen made by the
court. It was doubtless under the authority of this grant
that Mr. Ikchelor had made his aboitive attempt in 1638.
Mr. Dinunock was probably one of the associates of
CoUicut, and Mr. Hull belonged to the same company*
With Messrs. Dimmock and Hull there came, in the spring
of that year, some fifteen families. A chuix*h was estab-
lished here, though not formally oi-ganized, of which ^Ir.
Hull was pastor and Rev. John Mayo preaching elder. Xa
church edifice was erected, though tradition ix)inted out the
large rock — only a portion of which remains — on the*
highway between Barnstable and West Barnstable, as the
spot where they were accustomed to meet. This rock stood
in front of the residence of the late £dwai*d Scudder. It
has been gi-adually carried away, a portion of it having been
used in building the old jail. During the summer months
this arrangement was convenient and natural, and under the
overshadowing oaks aiid pines by the roadside, these devout
men and women could commune through nature with nature's.
God.

Oct. 11, 1639, Rev. John Lothroi) and some twent\'-five
families from Scituate arrived in Barnstable, in accordance
with arrangements previously made. They had become
dissatisfied with tlieir location, '^ Scituate beinir too straite
for their accommodation," and were attracted to tliis region,.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 48

as were the first settlers to Yarmouth , by the exteusive salt
marsheSy which afforded subdistcnce for their cattle, while
the lands cleared by the Indians gave them tillage spots for
planting. Mr. Lothrop was a nian distmguished for his
piety and talents. lie was educated at Christ college,
Cambridge, took holy orders and settled in the ministry in
Egerton, near Liondon, but renounced the ordei*s and
separated himself from the church of England. In 1624 he
was chosen successor to Ker. Henry Jacob, the first pastor
of the first Independent or Congiogational church in London.
He was pastor of this church for ei<rht years, when he and
about fifty of his congregation were arrested, and refusing to
take the oath ex offidoy were thrown into prison, where they
remained for two years. He came to tliis country- in 1634
in the ship Grifiin, in company with Ihe famous Mrs. Ann
Hutchinson, and late in the fall of ,1634 came to Scituate,
where a small settlement had Ijeen made. Here a church
was formed and ^Ir. I^thiop elected pastor. They found
that they had made a mistake and sought and secured a new
location here. With Mr. Lothrop came several men of
weight and character, among them, Anthony Annable,
Henry Cobb, William CVocker, Samuel Hinckley, George
Lewis, Isaac Robinson, William Baker. James Cud worth
came a little later, but subsequently returned to Scituate.
John Bursley, Austin Bcarse, James Hamlin, Thomas
Huckins, Thomas Allyn, John Scudder, Nathaniel Bacon^
Roger Goodspeed, Dolar Davis, Mr. John ilayo, Alvan
Blush and John Hull were early here. The greater poilion
of Mr. Lothrop's associates had been connected with him in
chui'ch relations, both in Scituate and London, but the
church organization was retained in London after the
removal, and Mr. Lothrop never claimed to represent it
here. In fact he spoke of himself, according to Gov.

50 CAPE COD.

Winthrop, while in Boston, as outside of any organized
church at that time. The Loudon church survived for some
eight years after Mr. Lothrop removed to America. The
claim that the West Barnstable church represents the first
Independent church organization, can hardl}' be sustained.

Mr. Lothrop and his associates were cordiallj' welcomed
by those who had pi'eceded them in Barnstable. Oct. 31,
•^ a feast was held to implore the grace of God to settle us
here in church estate, and to unite us together in holy
walking, and to make us faithful in keeping covenant with
God and one another.'' On the 11th cUy of December O.
S., the first day of Thanksgiving was held. The service
was observed at Mr. Hull's house. The object of the
meeting was to give thanks to God for his exceeding mercy
in bringing them safe to Barnstable, preserving their health
"in the weak beginnings of their plantation and in their
church estate." The day was very cold, and after the close
of public service they divided into "three companies to
feast together, some at Mr. Hull's, some at Mr. ^layo's, and
some at Brother Lumbard, senior's." What a delightful
record of mutual help, thanksgiving and good cheer !

The winter of 1639-40 was open and cold, but no deaths
were reported, and but little sickness occuiTed among the
company. The division of the common lands engrossed
much attention, as was natural. It was greatly to the credit
of the settlers that they accomplished this without contixn
versy or angry discussion. April 25, 1640, was set ai>art
as a day of fasting, to invoke the divine l)lessing on their
efforts, and the following rule of division of lands, adopted
by the general consent of the inhabitants, was satisfactorj*^
to all interested : " One-third pail to every houselot, equally ;
one-third to the names that are immovable ; and the other
third according to men's estates." This rule was adhered to

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 61

in all the subsequent divisions. At a town meeting held in
1641, measurers of land wei*e appointed, and the details of
the measurement settled. In 1643, Mr. Hathcrly, Mr.
Freeman and Capt. Standish were appointed by the court
•^to divide to each man, the lands at Banistable, reserving
a portion for public use.** The town subsequently ordered
^^ that the commons, or undistributed lands, shall l)elong to
the present inhabitants, and to whom they shall see fit," and
"that the commons be entailed to the houselots.*'

Before a full and complete title of the soil could be
acquired, it was necessary to extinguish the Indian titles.
Fortunately for the settlers, there was land enough for their
occujiation and improvement, without doing violence or
wrong to the natives of the soil. The pestilence which had
decimated the Indians in Plymouth before the coming of the
Pilgrim fathers, had raged upon the Cape, and after the
death of the noble Ij'^anough, his heirs, with their thinned
ranks of subjects, ranged over a large region, embracing the
present territory of the western part of Yarmouth, East
Barnstable, Hyannis, and the vast sti'etch of land known as
the "South sea" region. The natives had no use for all
these lands and jiailcd with tliem for what seems a trifle in
these days, but what to the Indians was no doubt regarded
as amj)Ie compensation. They could still take game and
fish, first at one spot then at anotlier, in this region, and tliat
was all they wanted of the place. Small tillage lots were
reserved for their use, which they or their successors
improved while any of them survived.

Next to the division of the lands, here as in adjoining
towns, polemical discussion seems to have been the most
fruitful source of dissension. In the case of the Barnstable
settlers, personal predilections and individual claims, rather
than matters of doctrine, led to the first troubles in the

52 CAPE COD.

church oi'ganization. Mr. Joseph Hull was the earliest
minister in town ; he came in the day of weakness of the
church; he was a man of good chaiiicter and ^ respectable
abilities. But he was not equal in talent and learning to
Mr. Lothrop. ]Mr. Hull, it will be seen, extended to Mr.
Lothrop on his coming the warmest Christian greetings and
hospitalities. He assisted on April 15, in the following
year, in the ordination of ]Mr. John Maj'^o as teaching elder^
and in the following month we find the record of his
excommunication by the church, for, as they suy, " willfully
breaking his communion with us, and joining a company in
Yarmouth to be their pastor, contrary to the counsel and
advice of our church.'' The cause of all this lies upon the
surfac-e. The gr^at majority of the Barnstable church
preferred their former pastor, Mr. Lothrop, for a minister,
and Mr. Hull was ignored, not only in that relation, but was
dropped from his position as deputy from the town to the
colony court. The society in Yarmouth was not united
upon Mr. ^Matthews, and these dissenters, together with the
personal friends of Mr. Hull in Barnstable, desired to form
a society with Mr. Hull as pastor. This notural arrange-
ment, under the circumstances, was in opiK)sition to the
policy of the governing class in the colony, and when Mr.
Hull attempted to exercise the duties of a pastor, he was
proceeded against. There was no allegation of immoi-ality
or unsoundness of doctrine. But he was dealt with as
rigorously as if there had been. A warrant was issued to
the constable to arrest him if he attempted to exercise the
pastoral office ; and he and his wife were excommunicated.
So long as these restrictions were in force, it was social and
political death to them. The stmggle was an unequal one ;
Mr. Hull desisted, made an "acknowledjrment of his sin,"
was received back into the church, and the following year

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 58

removed to Dover. Mr. Lothrop was in full control of the
church and society, until the end of his useful and successful
career, in 1653, tlie date of his death.

It was not until several 3'ears liad elapsed that a regular
house of worship was erected ; they met at the residences of
the meml)ers; their })a8toi*'s, Mr. Cudworth's and Mr.
Bursley's, and June 1, 1646, Mr. Lothrop was enabled to
add in his diaiy , tliat tliis was '' the second of our meeting
in our meetinsf-house.'* This structure stood in the ancient
graveyard near the present County road, where the ashes of
so many of the fathers of the town repose.

Mr. Lothrop and his associates appear to have been in
complete symi>athy with the Indei^ndent ciuise in the mother
countrj-. A fast was held March 16, 1648, ''princijmlly for
Old EngLind, requested by Sir Thomas Fairfax and the
Parliament, in regard to many fears of the Presbj-tevians,
with many others, to raise up new wars in the land, and,
notwitlistandiiig all their troubles, much pride and excess
abounding, with an unframed spirit, to humble themselves
by praying and seeking with God." November 5, a day of
humiliation '^was kejit by the church, principally for Old
England." And ^larch 4, 1652, was observed as '^thanks-
giving for the Lord's powerful working for Old England by
Oliver Cromwell and his aimy, against the Scots.*

In 1644 the settlement of Eastham, whi<:h had several
years been in contemplation, was effected. This region,
under the name of Nauset, had been familiar to the English
from their first coming to these shores. Here was the " first
encounter" with the Indians. To Xauset had often resorted
trading parties from Pljinouth, to replenish their fast
vanishing stock of provisions, of which the natives had
more than their own need. Alx)ut 1643, the inhabitants of

•Mr. Lothrop*s Diary.

M CAPE COD.

Plymouth, becoming dissatisfied with their location, began
to look about them for a new place of settlement. It seems
strange to those of the present day, who are acquainted with
the features of the two localities, that Nauset should have
been seriously considered as the more eligible place of
residence ; but the fact that Xuuset had within its borders a
large area of grain-producing lands, not then exhausted by
a vicious system of agriculture, cxpbiins their preference.
Gov. Bradford and others proposing Nauset for a settlement,
a committee was appointed to explore the premises, and
obtained permission to occupy it fi*om those who had
obtained a grant of the territory in 1640. Subsequent
explorations having been made, it was decided tliat the
place was not sufficiently extensive for the accommodation
of the whole Plj-mouth company, and that it was not
centrally situated for the seat of the government of the
colony. But several of the Plymouth church being resolved
upon removal, a grant was obtained of the court, of "all
the tract of land lying between sea and sea, from the
purchasers' bounds fi*om Namskaket to the Iieriing brook, at
Billingsgate, with said hening brook and all the meadows on
both sides of said bi*ook, with the great ba.ss-ix)nd there,
and all the meadows and islands lying within the said tmct."
This grant embraced a region of about 15 miles in length,
extending from the present towns of Brewster to Ti-uit),
from Barnstable Bay across to the Atlantic Ocean. The
leading men of this settlement, John Doane, Nicholas Snow,
Josias Cook, Richard Higgins, John Snialley and Edward
Bangs, were parted with regretfully by their associates at
Plymouth. They were highly esteemed by, and in full
sympathy with, the governing class at Plymouth, and
conmienced the settlement under favoral)le aur?pices, and
their numbers were so augmented l>y accessions that June 2,

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 65

1646, an act of incorporation in the following terms was
passed: ''Nauset is granted to 1x5 a townr«hip and to have
aD the privileges of a township, as other towns within the
government have." They soon after organized by choosing
Nicholas Snow town clerk, Edward Bangs treasurer, and
Josias Cook constable. A meeting-house, 20 feet square,
with thatched roof, and port holes in the sides, was erected
near Town Cove. Rev. John Mavo, who went from Bam-
stable in 1646, remained in the exercise of the ministrj- at
Xauset, until 1655, when he was called to the second church
in Boston. In 1647 Joseph Rogers was appointed to exercise
the men of Nausct in the use of arms, and in June, 1648, it
was ordered that the public rate of Nauset, this year and the
future time, shall be 40s. In 1651 it was ** ordered that
the town of Nauset heneeforth be called and known bj* the
name of Eastiiam."

Thus was accomplished the permanent settlement upon
the Cai>e of four towns, under conditions differing but little
from each other, and by people of similar origin, failh and
condition in life. The few detached settlements elsewhere,
as at Succannessett and ilonomoy, were placed ** within the
liberties" of some other town, as the legal phmseology of
the times ran. But it was contrary to the policy of the
colony to encourage settlements, except by such numlxjrs as
would insure the establiahment and maintenance of a
minister within their borders.

Nearly coeval with the settlement of the Capo, in the year
1G39, occun'cJ a radical chancre in the form of government
of Plymouth colony, from a nearly democratic, to a
representative, goveinuKnit. The inhabitants of the to\\Ti8
in the colony had heretofore been accustomed to go to
Plymouth for the transa^.tion of the public business and the

iiC CAPE COD.

election of officers. The remainder of the year the entire
administration of the government, legislative, judicial and
executive, rested with the governor and his assistants. In
1638 the towns were authorized to send deputies to join
with the bench to enact and make all such laws and ordi-
nances as shall be deemed good and wholesome for the
whole." But the laws to be enacted were to be proposed at
one ses^^ion and not considered until the next, and the court
resented the right to reject and dismiss all those deputies or
committees who were *^ found insufficient or troublesome " I
This chanire went into effect in 1639, and Sandwich and
Yarmouth were represented at the June session, and
Barnstable at Ihe December tenn ensuing, by the following
deputies, or committees, as they are sometimes styled:
Sand^vich, Richard Boui-ne, Thomas Annitage, Mr. John
Vincent. Yarmouth, Thomas Payne, Philip Tabor. Barn-
stable, Mr. Joseph Hull, ]ilr. Thomas Dimmock. Of
scarcely less importance was the office of constable, upon
the incumhants of which depended in great measure the
good order and obedience to the law-making power of the
little communities. William Chase was the incumbent from
Yarmouth from jVIarch to October, when he was succeeded
by William Clark; Thomas Armitage was selected, in
March, for Sandwich, and in June had George Allen for
dissociate ; Wm. Carsely was chosen in June for Barnstable*

Together with the new representative system, a local
judicial tribunal was created for hearing controversies
between the parties within the townships of Sandwich,
Barnstable, and Yarmouth, involving cases of not exceeding
20 shillings. Mr. Edmund Freeman of Sandwich, who was
one of the assistants of the irovernor, toirether with Mr.
Thomas Dimmock of Barnstable and Mr. John Crow of
Yarmouth, constituted the court. How long it existed, or

THE FIllST SETTLEMENTS. 67

the extent of its bu^^iiicss, is not known by any record
extant.

The same year a si)ecial session of the assistants was held
in Yarmouth, Jmie 17th, at which ICdward AVinslow, Miles
Standish and Edmund Freeman, jrcntlemcn, presided, to
hear and determine cansos i)ending in Yannouth, and fix
the boundaries l>ctwecn that town and tlic adjacent territory.
These controversies referred more especially to differences
respecting the boundaries and fencing of individual lots,
small trespasses bj' Indians and matters rc<]uiring arbitration,
rather than ju<livial pro^e.-^s. The ])ounds of Yannouth on
the cast were dclined to be from Bound Brook river, now
the western limit of Brewster, with a liJiend resei-vation for
Mashantampaine, tlie Indian sagamore, on the borders of
Kobscussett pond. The bounds between Yarmouth and
Bamstalde were fixed very nearly as at present, rescn'ing in
the part set off to IJarnstalilc a parcel of plain land in the
eastern portion near the scashoix* to the two Indian sachems,
Nep^3'etum and Twaconnnacus and their heirs. By this
readjustment of boundaries, Yannouth lost nearly a mile of
territorj', from cast to west, across to the south sea in
Hyannis. No fixed tenns of these courts were established,
but they were held at such times and places as the public
convenience required; and in some few cases adjourned
terms of the Genenil Coui-t were held in the Ca^^ to\vn8,
for the consideration of important matters.

Hardly had the settlci-s provided shelter for their families
and cleared the hind for tillage, ere they were called upon to
face the dangers and privations of war. Infonnation having
reached the Phinouth authorities of a conspiracy of the
Indians to cut off the Enirlish settlers, a general meeting of
the freemen was called for deliberation, on the 27th of
September, 1642. They, however, met by their deputies,

58 CAPE COD.

as they hud a right to do. After full consultatipn a
deputation was sent to Massachusetts Bay, to enter into a
league and covenant \vith that colony, for future defensive
and offensive operations. Capt. Standish was chosen
captain of the forces to be raised, and 'William Palmer of
Yarmouth was selected for lieutenant. The relative ability
of the eight towns in the colony may bo seen by the amount
raised for the chai"ges of the troops : Plymouth, £5*, 5s. ;
Duxbury, £8, 10s. ; Scituate, £4 ; Sandwich, £3 ; Barn-
stable, £2, 10s. ; Yarmouth, £2, 10s. ; Taunton, £2, 10s. ;
Marshfield, £2, or in that proportion for a greater or less
sum. A council of war was chosen, at the head of which
was the governor, with Mr. Edmund Freeman, Mr. Thomas
Dimmock and Mr. Anthony Thacher as the mcmbei*s from
the Cajie towns. These alarms seemed for a season to be
soon dissipated. But in October of the next year, the
rising of the Indians against tlic Dutch and English occor
sioned fresh alarms, and the court was again summoned to
assemble. It was concluded that thirtv men would be the
just proportion for the colony, and the numbei's for each
town on the Cai^e were apportioned as follows : Sandwich,
3 ; Barnstable, 3 ; Yarmouth, 2. Stringent regulations were
made against selling arms to the Indians. Provision was
made requiring Yarmouth and Barnstable to prepare a place
for the defense of themselves and their wives and children,
in case of a sudden assault. No further military opoi*ations
occuiTed this year.

The hostile demonstrations of the Indian tribes were
however continued, and in August, 1G45, an expedition was
or<ranized airainst the Nami^ransetts. There were 40 men
engaged in this expedition, of which 5 were from Sandwich,
4 from Barnstable, and 5 from Yarmouth. The Cape men
were gone from 13 to 14 days. They advanced as far as.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. »

Behoboth, bat peace having 1)een concluded with tlie savages-
the troops returned without meeting the foe. The charges^
of this exi)edition were £66, 3s., 3d. The rate, the whole
of which a little exceeded this sum, for the Cape Cod towns
was: Sandwich, £9, 7s., 9d. ; Barnstable, £6, 2s., 6d. ;
Yarmouth, £7, 2s., 6d. Nauset, not yet having been fully
organized, was not included in this rate.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1635-1650.

M85, Kovember. A vessel with 8ome Connecticut pettier* on board?
wa^cast away in Muuomet Bay. The crew got on ^hore, and, after
wandering ten duys in deep miowh, arrived at Plymouth.

1C88, June L Great earthquake throughout Xew England. "So
Tioleut its shock, in some places, that movables in housett were thrown,
down, nnd people outdoor.^ could scarcely rv.*taiu a po>ition on their
feet."— Sept. The court ordered that the inhabitant? of Sandwich and
llattachee^e, or Yarmouth, hhould build a bridge over Eel River, to
be made pa:(:>able by fv»olmen or liorHemeu.— Dec. James Skeff of
Sandwich was ordei*ed >»y the court to carry Henry Ewer and wife and
their goods out of the town to the place whence they came; but
if this order was executed they found means to return, and remained
unmolested.

16S9, May 6. It was ordered by the court, that "if Mr. Callicut do-
come in his own person to iuha]>it Mattachcese before the next General
Court in June next ensuing, then the gi*aut >hall remain firm unto
him; but if he fail to come within the time fixed, that then their grant
be made void, and the land Y>e otherwise dispo:<ed of." It was also
ordered by the court that "the proportion of land granted to Mr..
Andrew Hallet at Mattacheese, ^hall be and remain unto him, and
that those that are appointed to set forth the bounds betwixt Matta-
cheese and Mattacheeiiett tihall lay forth the said portion unto him in
a convenient place there.''— Dec. o. Thomas Lumbert was licensed to
keep an ordinary for entertainment of strangers and draw wines in
Barnstable.

1640, Marc'h 2. The "purchaser? and old comers," obtained a grant
of "a tract of land from the bounds of Yarmouth three miles eastward
of Naemskekeett and across the neck from sea lo sea." For this grant
and two others, AVilliam Bradford and associates, the aforesaid

•60 CAPE COD.

^^nrchasers and old comer»,** surrendered to the whole body of the
freemen all the reAt of the land within the patent, which had not
been >?i*auted to other persona.

16A1, June 1. The rates of the several towns fixed by the oourt for
the payment of clerk and 80 buithels of corn for the messenger, were
as follows: Sandwich, 3 pounds; Bnrnstable, 2 pounds, 10 shillings;
Yarmouth, 2 i)ouu(ls, 10 shillings.— June 7. Thomas Starr, Hugh Tilley,
William Nicholson and Joshua Banie?, of Yarmouth, complained of
for beiug **scoffers aud jeerers at religion," were ordered to recognize
for their appearance in court, aud *^for coming to the t4)wu meetings."
They were subsequently released. This was an outcome of their
oontroTcrsy with Mr. Matthews.

1648, Aug. 29. '' Time is given to the towns of Barnstable and Yar-
mouth until the next court, to amend their highways, or else be fined
upon their i>re-^cutmcnt." Liberty was granted to the towns of Sand-
wich, Barnstable and Yarmouth for erecting of military discipline
among them, provided they be men of honest and good rei>ort, and
freemen.

1644, Mar. 5. " Whereas information is given to the court that there
Is a cow or a heifer in calve given or disposed by Mr. Andrew Hollet
senr. of Yarmouth, for the benefit of the poor of the said town of
Yarmouth, which for the ordering thereof was refeiTcd to the court
by the said Mr. Hallet by his letter under his hand, and bearing the
date the first day of March, 1618: The Court doth therefore order that
the said cow or heif or in calve shall be ou May day next delivered to
Thomas Payne of Yarmouth, who shall have her for three years next
ensuing and the milk and one-half of the inei*easc during that time,
and after the said three years are expired, the poor of Yarmouth shall
have her, and the increase to be disporod of by the townsmen of
Yarmouth from time to time to other poor persons dwelling in the
said town as they shall think fit, and for ^uch term, reserving the
benefit of said stock for the benefit of their poor, and not to be
alienated to any other use."— June 6. Mr. Anthony Thacher of Yar-
mouth licensed to draw wine at Yarmouth; Henry Cobb at Barnstable;
Wm. Xewlaud at Sandwich.— Aug. 20. Ilu1>t. Bodfish licensed to draw
wine at Sandwich, **and when he is at any time without, it shall be
lawful for Wm. Xewland to sell wine for persons for their need."

1646, June 2. The Couil ordered that strangers that have lii>erty to
Ash at the Capo pay 5 shillings per share.— Oct. 20. The proportion of
the towns for public charges were. Sandwich, 8 pounds, 10 shillings.
Yarmouth, 2 pounds, 10 shillings. Barnstable, 2 pounds, 10 shillings.

1647, March 2. Thomas Shaw for **putting aside some loose pali-
sades on the Lord's day, entering the house of Joliu Crocker of
Barnstable and stealing some venison, l)eef, butter, cheese, tobaoco
and bread, was ordered to pay 12 shillings the officers that arrested
him, and be publicly whipped."

CHRONOLOGY OP EVENTS. Q

1M7. Mr. Priiice wtth Atitbouy Tliocber, ajtiMlMted by the Geuersl
Conrt to try the i:afe til Neiioytam, Sac-bmnits And Felix, ludiaua,
kgaiust whuin uoiu]>luhit had Ifevu ntiulp by Mr. Uk'Lni-d S^eart ot
Tarmoutli.— Tbe towu of Snudwkh wa« premsuUMl for iiot Imluins the

lUG. Tbomtii Dexter, Jr., miller, of SBudivlrh, preseuted "for not
buviiig u toll-dUb wuled act-orUlag to order," bvit " wn« cleared."

IIEO, Aiirll £!. Tbomtv^ Blo^'^'oui aud Jo^lnli Hnllet of Ynrmoutb
droimed at Nautet, while on u Aching Toyage. Oct. 2. PermiHlon
ira* grauted to Mr. Tbonin^i Preii(-e, and otbei-», tu form a compauy
forlmwBMiiii^nt Cn)ie Cod, nud to purcha«R laud nt suth couyenieot
pla(-t« m» tUey skall chooM, Ibu privilege belug <»uflrme(l to them for
Uie term of three year*. A parcel of laud, about forty or fifty acres.
In tbe town of Yarmouth, ;n-nnted to CniiC Standisb for hia trouble In
■etUlns the land title* in that town.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMERS.

"Who they were and why they oarae— ftoclnl Diiitiiwtioiw— ludeppu-
denb, rutlicr than Furitaus— Cattle Rnlsliuc— Agriculture—
Pblieric.4— Uo^v- the Forefathers Lived— Malt oud DUtiUed Liquors
—Their Dre^s— Lnnj; Holr Denouuced —Their Hnhltalloui- Their
Home Life— Lnok of Ftmnle Iklncatiou— Devotional Habits—
Roving Adveutureni, etc.

HE men who kid the foondations of these
'^touna, and from whom uine-tontha of the
]ii-c4eiit inhabitants are descended, were
' I^iglishracn, who were closely identified
/ nith the movements for i-eform in church
iid state in the mother country. It would
not l)e true to assert, as is sometimes
iuconaiderately done, that they were driven
? iiy religious persecution from their homes
to these shores ; for a country in which
Cromwell and Hampden could Ik elected to Parliament
might still he found a measurably secure dwelling-place for
•those who adhered to Independency and dissent in religious
matters. But it was at the same time true, that the
•expression of such views had, at a somewhat earlier period,
been attended with great hardship and ofttimes with peril ;
«nd rather than continue the constant ftmggle in the mother
countiy, they elected to heoome self-expatriated exiles, and
chose to leave their old homes and build up new ones on
-these wild and rugged shores. This they ui^dertook for
:their own advantage and security, with no purpose connected

CnARACTERISTIC8 OF THE FIKST COMERS. 08

with other iTci-sons or sects, a fact which should l)c Ijonie in
mind and tcmi)er our critii'ismd when their treatment of
** strangers" and those of other beliefs is under review
and discussion. So far as this rcidon is concerned, the oft
quoted assertion of Stoughton, is equally true of its founders,
as of the rest of New England, that "'God sifted a whole
nation to procui-c the seed out of M'hich this jKjople was to
be devcloj^d." A glance at their names and a search into
their antecedents will show that their ranks cmbi-aced men
of substance and ccmj^idenition in the ohl country. Several
clergymen, who had been ejected from their livings for
non-confonrity, a few iMji^sons vrho wei*e allied to the gentiy,
and a largo numlwr of yeomen and artisans, were of the
number. Together with these were a few who came purely
from motives of adventure, for business and trade, who
wei^e picked up in the cities and the poits of embarkation,
to fill vacant places and make up the requisite numl)er of a
proposed company. These latter had little sympathy with
the objects sought for 1)y the chief settlers, were the source
of much vexation and annoyance in futui-e time, and tended
to swell the criminal calendar in those years, when even the
slightest deviation from the prescrilwd course was visited
with all the rigors of the law.

The social position which each person sustained in the
mother country was maintained here, with great tenacity,
and the official documents in which names api>ear will thus
indicate tlie station held and the consideration to which each
l^rson was entitled. Goodman and Goodwife were the most
usual appellations, ^Ir. being less common, and Gentleman
being rarely api)endcd to the name of any among them. The
title of ensign, lieutenant, cai>tain and major, when due to any
person, was always punctiliously observed in the writings in
which the names appeared. No one was ever jicrniittcd to

64 CAPE COD.

assume a title, or to be addressed by one, to which he had
not a rightful claim. In seating worshippers at church, and
in the order of public proceedings, these considerations were
given much weight, and were subject to not infrequent
review, as the social or official standins: of ])aitics was
changed or modified by a change in their circumstances in
life.

The Independent, rather than the Puritan, element
predominated among the settlers on the Cape, which accounts
for the degree of tolemnce which prevailed hei-e, and the
absence of that pei-secuting spirit wliich pursued Anabaptists,
Quakers, and other sectaries, in the ^lassachusctts and in
some parts of the Plymouth, colonies. As will be seen in
the progress of this narrative, many of these sects sought a
refuge here, and were hospitably treated by those who had
little sympathy with their doctrines — a degi'ec of toleration
as rare in those days as it is deserving of recognition and
appreciation by tlieir descendents. Xo instance is on record
of any punishment inflicted or disability incurred by
direction of any local magistrate of the Cape towns, on
account of religious belief or want of such belief, the few
cases in which such punishment here was administered,
being inflicted by order of the colonial, and not of the town,
authorities.

The leading business consideration which entered into the
calculation of those who came here, and wliich governed, in
a hirge degree, their choice of this locality, \vas the facilities
for rearing cattle which the marshes on the borders of the
Cape afforded. Stock raising was, at that time, the most
important business of the colony. '^It pleased God in
these times so to bless the country with such access and
confluence of i)eople into it, as it was thereby much enriched,
and cattle of all kinds stood at a. high rate for divers years

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMER3. 66

together." A cow was sold for £20; sometiuics as high
even as £28; a gout for £3 or £4. Four two-year-old
steers and a bull, which were wintered in Yarmouth^ in
1639-40, sold for £83.* Cattle were sent from Enixland to
this colony to be kept for a diare of the increase, so that
''the ancient planters which had any &>tock I>egan to grow in
then: estates," These extreme prices were not long main-
tained, but the business continued for many years sufficiently
remunerative to repay the toils of the huslmndman.
• The cultivation of Indian com was pursued with success^
the soil lieing specially adapted for that pui-pose. This was
unquestionably the staple crop of the country, being used
not only for food for men and animals, but being largely
employed as the currency of the colony and taken for debts,
taxes, and as a medium for carrying on tmde. To say of »
man that he "had com in the crib," was equivalent to saying
at this time that he has mcmey in the bank. The cultivation
of wheat, which was pixxluced here in tlie earlier stages of
the colony, was partially abandoned about the year 1656, on
account of the blast and mildew which infested it, renderings
the prospects of a crop precarious. Barley was grown to-
make malt, of which considerable quantities were consumed.
Then, too, pumpkins were found to be of great value. Said
one of their writers, " Let no man make a jest of pumpkins,
for with this food the Lord was pleased to feed his people
to their good content, till com and cattle were increased,'*'
Vegetables were found adapted to the soil, and all but
potatoes raised in abundance ; these last coming later into*
use. Fruit was also cultivated, but not of the luscious and
developed varieties enjoyed by the present genemtion. The
specimens of the Kentish cherry and the pears that grow
upon the few old trees, proj^agated from the stock introduced!

^Plymouth Records.

ee CAPE COD.

by the forefathers, are of a coarse and acrid quality, which
do not commend themselves to the modern palate.

Though agriculture was necessarily the first and leading
pursuit of the settlers, the fisheries at their doors soon
diverted a portion of their enei'gies in that direction, and
naturally led to the development of other bmnches of
seamanship. In no very long time, voyages for trade and
barter of fish, oil, tar, luml)er, and other products of the
waters and forests, were made to the West Indies and
Bermudas, for a supply of the articles of use and luxurj"
produced in those islands. It was not very long before a
knowledge of seamanship was acquired, while subseciuent
generations produced many navigatoi*s and sailoi*s of great
daring and adventurousness. Two citizens of Truro were
the first to voyage to the Falkland Islands for whales.
No part of the glol)e restrained the ambition of those hardy
sons of the Cape. Of them in their chiy it was well said :

"Brave men, who work whUe others sleep;

Who dare while others fly;
They buUd a uutlou's pillars deep.

And lift them to the »ky.**

The tables of the people were well laden with an
abundance of excellent and su1)stantial food. We are
indebted to the criminal calendar of the colony for a glimpse
into the larder of one of the citizens of Barnstable, who
may be regarded as a representative of the aveitige citizen
of 1647, only seven or eight years after the settlement.
While William Crocker, with his family, was attending
meeting on Sunday, one hungry Thomas Shaw removed a
palisade and entered Crockei*'s house, and pilfered the
food provided for the family. It consisted of "some
venison, some beefe, some butter, cheese, bread and
tobacco,** a substantial, and sufficiently luxurious, bill of
fare. Thougb smoking was under a legal ban, some of the

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMERa 97

best citizens uianaged to smuggle a little tolmcco for occa-
sional use and private refreshment, after a hard da^^'s work,
or perhaps a long discourse on Sunday. Tliey alwa3's had a
supply of home-hi'owed l>eer, and spirituous liquors were in
common, thougli perhajw the latter were not in general, use.
Malt-houses, for the accommodaticm of the citizens, were as
common as markets for the siile of meats are, at the present
day. In the year 16G3-4 there were imported into Barn-
stable and Yarmouth, accordinsr to the invoices of the
inspectors, 201 gals. 8 cases and 1 cusk of liquors, 30 gals,
rum, 30 gals, wine, 9 gals, bi-andy, 10 gals, sack.* This
would seem to l>e an ample and even an abundant supplj*^ for
the medical wants of a few hundreds of i)eople. Tea and
coffee, it will be remembered, had at that time not come
into general use.

The peculiarities of dress and outward accoutrements of
the forefathers have l>ccomc familiar to the general reader
through Uie cun-cnt histories and other literature pertaining
to the period. The settlers of the Cape to\\Tis were in no
sense peculiar in this respec^t. The costume, l)oth of the
males and the females, was in the earlier portions of their
historj^ of the simplest description. Any approach to
^vanity in dress" was promptly dealt with by the authorities.
But as the worldl}' affairs of the people licgan to prosj^er, they
became less rigid in adlierence to this policy, and more
latitude was allowed in the outward adornment of the
person, of both sexes. The common dress for men was
breeches, a long vest, with lappets covering the hips, a
roundabout coat or jacket, for week djiys, and for Sabbath a
long coat cut a little crosswise, not straight down in front,
with a standing collar. The wealthy wore large silver
buttons, but for common wear horn was used. They all

^Plymouth Records.

68 CAPE COD.

wore round hats at first, but afterwards adopted the pomted
hats of the Cavaliers. Long woolen stockings, which
eictended above the knee and were kept in place by a buckle *
or strap, and shoes fastened by a long buckle, completed
their attire. In summer, stockings and sometimes shoes,
were dispensed with, and trousers which extended below the
knee were worn. With the female, the petticoat was the
principal article of dress. It was made of cloth of domestic
manufacture, sometimes colored, of two thicknesses and
quilted throughout. On the lower border or front would
sometimes be ornamental needle-work. Over this was worn
a loose gown, also of domestic manufacture, white, checked
or colored. It was open in front, and did not extend so low
as the under garment. The sleeves were short, extending a
little below the elbow. The neck and breast were ordinarily
covered with a handkerchief; on great occasions, with a
bodice or a stomacher. Long net gloves or ** sleeves"
covered the hands when they went out of doors. White
worsted stockings and mocasins completed the winter
apparel. On great occasions, the wealthy had gayer and
more pretentious costumes of foreign fabrics, which were
carefully handed down from mother to daughter and
granddaughter. Silks, mohair, or ^satinstow'' garments
figure in the inventories of dresses on the probate records.
When they went out they wore bonnets, and cloaks of
thick cloth with a hood or covering for the head, attached.
For many yeai*s a bright red or scarlet was the fashionable
color for these garments.

The length of the human hair early became an important
issue, the wearing of long locks by men coming under the
disapprobation of the sober and serious-minded members of
society. About the year 1650 the practice was denounced
in a paper signed by an association of leading members of

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMERS. 60

the community, in these words : ^ Forasmuch as the wearing
of long hair, after the manner of the Russians and barbarous
Indians, has begun to invade New England, contrary to the
rule of God's word and the commendable custom of the
godly, until this few years, we, the magistrates, who have
subscribed this paj^er (for the showing of our innocency in
this behalf) do declare and manifest our dislike and detesta-
tion against the wearing of such long hair, as against a
thing uncivil and unmanly, whereby men do deform,
themselves, and offend sober and modest men and do
corrupt good manners." The gi-and jury were subsequently
bound to prevent and the couil to punish all such offenders.

The wardrol:)e of families was also the subject of cure on
the part of the magistrates. ''Excess of apparel, strange
new fashions, naked breasts and arms, and pinioned, super-
fluous ribl>ons on liair or apparel," were roundly denounced,
and subjected the offender to prosecution and all the
penalties of the violated law. Millinei-s, mantua-makers,
and fashionable tailors were not in much demand, the
apparel of the family l)eing usually manufactured by the
female members, without outside assistance.

The first houses of our earlier ancestors were of the
simplest and mdest description. They were generally of
one story, about twenty feet square, with boarded walls, and
& thatched roof, with oiled paper instead of glass for the
windows. They were "daubed" in the crevices with mortar
to make them air-tight. The}' cost about five pounds, equal
to twenty dollars in silver money in those days. Dr.
Thomas Starr of Yarmouth, in 1G39, sold to Andrew Hallet
& house of tliis description, which was built by William
Chase, together with nineteen acres of land, for ten pounds.*
These dwellings answered their puq^oses while they were

^Plymouth RecordB.

clearing their fields, coostnicting roods, and bridges, and
setting their plantatioos in order. After this a better class
of frame houses was built. They were all in one style, two
stories high, about 20x26 feet square on the ground, with
very sharp roofs to shed water. The posts were 12 or 14
ieet long, the lower story finished about 7 feet in the clear,
and the upi)er alwnt 6. They all fronted due south, and the
"great room," or parlor, occupied the southeast comeri
This room was usually aboat 16 feet square, and was
occupied for a kitchen, dining-room and [Mirlor. A bed
often occupied the northeast comer, and the looms the

southeast. The sills were hewn from tbe largest trees in
tlie forest, and projecting with the room, formed a seating
place on the south and easterly side. The floor was laid on
sleepers tliat rested on the ground, and it came up even with
the lower part of the sill, so that, on entering the front
door, which was at the southwest comer, you stepped down
about a foot. The fireplace was on the west side, and
occupied the whole space from the doom'ay to within about
a foot of the north side of the room, and was usually about
four feet deep. The fire was kindled in the centre, leaving

CHARACTBRISTieS OF THE FIRST COMERS. 71

ample chimney-corners where the younger members of the
family had seats in cold weather, and could gaze at the stars
through the ample flue. The oven opened into tlie back
part oi the fireplace on the left hand side. The place of the
mistress of the house was on the right hand side near the
settle, in the comer ; the master's place was a large arm-chair
or roundabout placed directly in fi*ont of the fire. The rear
of the lower floor contained a small room at the northeast
comer having a small fireplace, and was sometimes called a
kitchen, but not often employed for that purpose. A small
room, sometimes occupied as a bedroom, and sometimes for
other purposes, was on the east, and at the northeast comer
a narrow pantry or closet, in which was a trap door leading
into the cellar.

The second story was divided nearly in the same manner
as the lower. A large square chamber occupied the space
over the parlor, with lodging rooms in the rear. The
spacious garret was occupied by servants, and as a general
place of deposit. Some of the settlers kept their bee-hives
in the garret, placing them on a shelf on the outside in the
summer, and remoWng them inside ;n winter. Paint was
unkno\vn, and excepting the seams and crevices between the
boards, few rooms were even plastered. The furniture was
of domestic manufacture, the rooms were never carpeted,
white sand from the 1)each spread evenly over the floor and
•'herrin' boned,"* occupying the place now assigned to
tapestry and Brussels. The exceptions to this style were
the fortification-houses, of which there were several in the
county, which were constructed of large pieces of timber
for sills and plates, with boarding on each side, filled in with
small stones and clav. This formed the walls of the house,
which were plastered with shell mortar, inside and out.

*OtU'» Baru»table Families.

72 CAPE COD.

The material for estimating the every day and social life
of the forefathers is scanty and incomplete. But the casual
and imperfect glimpses which we catch of their homes and
firesides reveal a picture of domestic happiness and harmony.
The relations between the sexes were i-egulated by rules of
strict propriety, and violations of the laws of cbastity and
decorum were punished with inexorable severity. Children
were taught to be ol)edient, retiring, and most respectful in
their demeanor towai'ds their superiors. Their recreations
were few, but some of the old games, played by their
parents in the fatherland, and some of the folk-lore of the
old country, were perpetuated from generation to generation,
and are not entirely forgottea even at the present day.
The Puritanism of the first generation of our ancestors was
not of so intense a tj'pe as to cause them to discard entirely
the sports of their ancestors, and ** hull-gull," "I espy,*'
(corrupted to '^hy-spry,") and "thread the needle," held
their ground in the popular affection for many years. But
the days for pleasure were few and short, and the cares of a
busy and anxious existence were soon thrust upon them.
The young men were early inured to the duties of a severe
discipline, and wrestling, ball playing, and exercises in the
manual of arms, trained them to vigor and self-control.
General musters were occasions which called great companies
together. Weddings and famil}" reunions were almost the
only social occasions of the women. Their literaiy educa-
tion was inferior even to that of the men. It is rare to find
among the signatures to public documents of the early days
of the colony, evidences that they could write their names,
the wife of Anthony Thacher of Yarmouth, one of the most
learned men of the colony, signing as a witness to a will by
her mark. Some quite prominent men, indeed, did the
same thinir, at a time when a knowledije of writin^j

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMERS. 78

\fas not considered as essential as it was at a later day.

Family devotions were ol)sciTed with rigorous punctuality.
On Sunday, no matter what the state of the weather, every
member of the family attended church. The distance was
often eight or ten miles. For many years there was no
conveyance for worshippers. The younger people walked
all the way, the older ones, when horses came into vogue,
riding a part of the distance, tj'ing their horses for those
who came after them, who in turn tied theirs, after
completing their portion of the journey. To save their
shoes, the young people in mild weather carried them in
their hands until near the mceting-hou.se, and removed them
when returning home. Assembled for worship, the sexton
turned the glass when the sermon began, and the preacher
kept on till the sand ran out, whether his ideas had run out
or not. A short intermission was followed by another
service, when the humble woi'shippei-s returned to their
homes. Sunday began at sundo^\^l Saturdaj" night, and
ended on Sunday night. With our fathers, Sunday was the
'^day of all the week the best," not to be desecrated by
travel, amusement, or any secular concerns. Any one
found upon tlie road that day was halted by the constable,
and, unless he had some very imperative business, was
carried before the nearest magistrate. William Chase of
Yarmouth was presented by the gi-and jury, in 1654, for
** driving his oxen five miles on the Lord's day during the
time of exercise." Two men were fined for sailing a boat
from Sandwich to Boston on the Lord's day.* All persons
stopping at ordinaries over Sunday were I'equired to attend
church or take the consequences.

Besides the permanent residents, these shores were
resorted to by adventurers from abroad, for purposes of

^Plymouth Records.

H CAPE COD.

trade or motives of curiosi^, or by those seeking to foand
homes on these westera shores. Their intercourse with the
settlers was sometimes of advantage, but not al^'ays so, and
the rights and safety of the permanent settlers were
jealously and studiously guai-dcd and delined ia the legis-
lation of the colony and the regulations of the different
towns. It was only by the rare and infrequent visits of
these chance udvcnturers that the knowledge of occurrences
in the motherland was kept alive, and as mails and
newspapers were not known for many years afterwards,
they bad little information of the kindred and friends they
had left behind them. Occasional expressions of love and
affection for the mother ooantry are found in their earlier
writings, but they soon began to transfer to the land of
their adoption the attachment due to the shores which were
the haven of their children and of the generations yet to
come after them. Under these conditions were founded,
developed and perpetuated the homes and institutions which
are now found existing apou Cape Cod.

CHAPTER VI.

EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS.

EelRlTerBridge— Dutcb War Bckre— Drift Wbalea— Thumaa Prence
of Eaethaii) elected Governor— Growing ludlffereiiM lo Rellgiou*
Ordinances— M in latoriul CtiangeB— Labors of Ricbard Bourne
among the iDdlatm— Controrerar wttli William ITlckorBon of
Mumunoit— Loglslatioa re«pectlii)E tbe Fisheriei— Indian Pledge
of Fidelity— Death of Goremor Preuce and Acoeuion of JobIu
Wliwlow.

^^M. HE taxation of the three Cape towns

for the construction of a bridge over Eel
River, in Pljinouth, and the public highway
v,i,i * s.-^^ lending thereto through the Cape towns^
A^l P^*^lx!cauie, soon after the settlement, an
''^JiJF^ important question. The inhabitants of
■^r!^ Eel River village having petitioned the
g \ Court for rejiayment in some form of the
expense for constructing the bridge, which the Court
found to be greatly needed and was much used by travellers
from the Cape towns, they were required to make payment
for their proportional part of the charge therefor. The
Court, in 1649, deemed £15 a proper sum to be contributed
by the towns of Sandwich, Barnstable and Yarmouth, which
they neglected or declined to pay, believing that this.
structure ought to be regarded as a local, and not a public,
improvement. In 1652, Sandwich, Barnstable and Yar-
mouth were presented by the Couit for non-payment of their
share of this charge, and the inhabitants of Eel River
commenced a suit against the above towns, and a verdict of
£20 was recovered by the plaintiffs, which, after a review^

76 CAPE COD.

was again affirmed, and the towns were compelled to

contribute according to the verdict of the Court.

Complaint was also made, in 1652, that ^the lower way
between Sandwich and Barnstable was intercepted,** and Mr.
Prence and Capt. Standi^h were ordered to empanel a jury
**to lay out as conveniently as they can a country road,
unless the town of Barnstable will allow it for a
highway." The same were ordered to empanel a jury to lay
out the most convenient way from Sandwich to Pl3rmouth.
The latter jury consisted of Anthony Thacher, Thomas
Dexter, Thos. Hincklejs Wm. Hedge, Edward Bangs,
Joseph Rogers, John Wing, John Ellis, Henry Dillingham,
James Skiff, John Finney, Jona. Hatch and Wm. Bassett.
This jury reported on the location as follows : ** Beginning
at Sandwich and so beginning at Goodman Black's house
on the right hand, running across the swamp over the
river, and so on a nor'-north-west line falling upon Eel
River," etc. This was the lii-st public highway legally laid
out from Sandwich to Plymouth, and was substantially the
one used for moi-e than two centuries in ffoinj]f from the
Cape to the latter town.

In consequence of the threatening aspect of the relations
between England and Holland, the Court directed the
several towns to send deputies to meet the magistrates April
6, 1653, '^to treat and conclude upon such military affairs as,
through God's blessings, may possibly tend to our present
and future safety." Sandwich sent James Skiff ; Barnstable,
Lieut. Fuller and Sergeant Thomas Hinckley; Yannouth,
Sergeant Thomas Rider and John Gorham ; Eastham, John
Doane and Richard Sparrow. Vigorous measures were
taken to place the colony in a state of defence. They
appointed a council of war, who made provision for the
immediate bringing into the field of 60 men, whereof

EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. 77

Sandwich was required to furnish Gj Yarmoutli 6, Baiii8table
6, and Ea^tham 3. The most minute and comprehensive
plan of operations was deemed necessary. The anticijiated
ooIIisioB widi Manhattan did not however occur. The great
victory of Admiral Blake over the Dutch fleet established
the supromacy of the English arms so decisively, that their
antagonists on the continent had sufficient care for the time
to attend to their own defence, without intei'fering with the
English possessions in her colonies.

The aknn which had subsided at this time was again
revived in 1667, unfriendly designs being feared from the
French as well as the Dutch, both of whom the council
proclaimed as '"common enemies." The council ordered
that during any api^earance of danger a military watch be
kept in every town. The members of this council for this
year were as follows : Sandwich, Richard Bourne, AVm.
Bassett, James Skiff, Sr. ; Baiiistable, Thomas Hinckley,
Nathaniel Bacon, John Chipman ; Yarmouth, Anthony
Thacher, Edmund Hawes, Thomas Howes ; Eastham, Lieut.
Freeman, Josias Cooke, Richard Higgins. Pending the
disputes with the Dutch, new Indian difficulties arose with
the Narragansett tribe, who attacked the Indians who were
under the protection of the English, and whose cause they
were bound by treaty obligations to espouse. The Com-
missioners of the Colonies urged the raising of a body of
troops to convey a message to Nianti, sachem, to compel
him to desist from his hostile proceedings. Of this number
Yarmouth, Sandwich and Eastham were required to furnish
four each, and Barnstable five. The troops accomplished
their purpose, without a hostile encounter.

The ownership of drift whales cast upon the shores of the
different towns was for some years a source of difference
and controversy. In 1661, Constant Southworth, colonial

78 CAPE COD.

treasurer, made a proposition for compromise to the towus
of the Cai>e, to the effect that finders of whales should pay
one hogshead of oil in Boston, for each whale so found.
The committee appointed by the town of Yaimouth, to
debate and determine the difference, agreed to the proposi-
tion, and there is no record of the action of the other
towns, the general presumption l>eing that they, too,
acceded to the proposition of the Court, made through
their treasurer.

In 1657, Thomas Prence of Eastham was elected Governor
of Plymouth colony, an office which he had held twice
before, previous to his removal from Plymouth. By a law
enacted in 1633, it was provided "that the chief government
be tied to Pl}iuouth, and that the governor for the time
being be tied there to keep his residence and dwelling ; and
there also to hold such courts as concern the whole." But a
dispensation was granted in this case, so desirous were the
people to secure the services of Mr. Prence. He continued
to reside in Eastham, until the inconveniences of the
•arranirement became so <]:reat that in 1664 he was induced to
remove again to Plymouth, a house being provided for him,
and suitable provision being made for his entertainment
there. The cares and responsibilities of the office were
very great and increasing, and it was difficult to procure the
services of a competent person for the position, so averse
were the men of those days to public employment.

The Cape towns, during the period of Governor Prence's
residence here, held a relative importance in the colony
greater than al any subsequent portion of their history.
Gov. Prence's partiality for Eastham was justified by the
facilities which the town afforded for both agriculture and
the fisheries, which, even at this day, are retained in some
portions of her former territory. Four times each year, at

EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. 7«

least, the govemor made the jouniey to Plymouth, to attend
the sessions of the general court or the couit of as»istant8.
Starting from his home, he passed bj' the house of Kenelm
\Vinsh)W, brother of the former governor, Edward, who
lived in Harwich (now known as lJi*ewster). A little
farther along was the residence of Kidiard Scars, another
leading man of the colony ; still faither, the homes of John
Crow, Thcmias Howes, Anthony Thacher and Edward
Sturgis, both the latter of whom kept ordinaries, where
refi*eshments were procured for man and beast, and the
latter of whom could spread a table with a display of plate
larger than any i)erson in this part of the territory, and
l)efitting the state and dignity of a governor. In Barnstable,
he came to the homes of the Gorhams and Lothrops, and
here, also, he doubtless met Thomas Hinckley, for many
years an assistant, and destined to )je his successor in the
government. Mr. Hinckley wjis not a wealthy man, but he
had an opulent neighl)or, Mr. Thomas Allen, who entertained
the governor and suite upon these journeys to and fro, with
suitable state, providing a bountiful table and a private
room, for ccmferences with those repairing to the governor
on business. From Barnstable he passed through East
Sandwich, where, we may feel quite sure, he avoided
intercourse with the citizens, the greater part of whom were
sympathizers with the Quakers, and were in bitter opposition
to the government. Doubtless, too, he had but little
intercourse with the leading citizen of that town, Mr.
Edmund Freeman, who, it was well known, was utterly
opposed to the policy of the government in their dealings
with the Quakers. Mr. Kichard Bourne and Mr. Thomas
Tupi>er of this town, though men of tolerant views, were
not so greatly estranged from ilr. Prence's policy as Mr.
Freeman, and special sessions of the magistrates were

80 CAPE COD.

sometimes held at Mr. Bourne's boose. From Sandwich^
through the long stretch of wood, past ** Sacrifice Rock" and
over Eel River, the retinue approached the seat of govem-^
ment, and met the leading men of this colony of four
thousand population, and some two hundred voters, more
than one-third of whom inhabited the northern shores of
Cape Cod.

Soon after the settlement of the towns, complaint was.
made, both here and in other pai*ts of the colony, of the
prevalence of indifference to, or dissatisfaction with the
ordinances of religion as administered and expounded in
the churches. This was the result partly of a reaction from
the rigorous and restraining doctiines of Puritanism, and in
som^ degree the result of re Section and free inquiry on
religious themes which was abroad in the community. la
an especial manner the ministerial office and church
organization were growing in disesteem, and men were
beginning to exercise their own spiritual gifts instead. This
tendency was rigorously dealt with by the authorities. The
Court ordered ^ that if any slothful or profane persons, in
any of. the towns, neglect to attend public worship, they
shall pay for each offence ten shillings or be publicly
whipped.'' In the application of this order, all persons
who, for any reason, did not attend public worship, were
deemed either ^lazy, slothful or profane," and fined
accordingly. Among those presented by the gmnd jury for
^ not frequenting the public worship of God " were a number
of citizens of Sandwich, who afterwards were prominently
identified with the Quaker schism, and Mr. Edmund
Freeman, for several years one of the assistants, and others,
who simply staid away from the place of worship from
dissatisfaction with the removal of Mr. Leverich from the
pastorate of the church, and their disti*ust of the gifts and

EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. 81

spiritual insiprht of those who had supplanted him. Ralph
Allen, Sr., and Kicliard Kerby, of the same town, were also
bound over in the sum of £20 each, '^for deriding and
villifj'ing speeches of and concerning God's word and
ordinances," another way of fraying that they dis:!ieuted from
the construction placed upon scri[)tui'al texts by those who
were in authority at that time. These occurrences were the
beginning of tliat series of events which subseijuently led to
the Quaker schism, a movement in wliich the protests and
discontents of former years fiiund their logical expression.

The disaffection on the part of the congregations resulted
in several changes in ministerial incumbency of the Cape
towns. Mr. Leverich of Sandwich, having, as already
seen, incurred the hostility of a portion of his people, his
position was rendered extremely irksome and distasteful.
He was an'aigned by the Court, at the instigation of his
enemies, for exchun^rinir with an Indian a <run for some
commodit}', and subsequently was fined £15. He was
spoken of in contemiX)raneous writings, as ^a man of great
piety and meekness,** but his theological teachings were
criticised with much rancor bj* his opponents, which led him
'^to seek a quiet recess at Long Island,'* and he subsequently
settled at Oyster Bay, laboring with great usefulness and
success with the people of that place, Huntington, and
Xewtown, for many j-ears thereafter. After the departure
of Mr. Leverich there was no settled minister in that town
for several years. Mr. Tupper, who was not an ordained
minister, though in favor with the government, officiated to
a portion of the people. Mr. Richard Bourne, also a
layman, occupied the pulpit for a portion of the time.
Neither of these persons was entirely acceptable to the
friends of Mr. Leverich. A>)out the vear 1658, Rev. John
Smith, who had previously officiated in Barnstable, became^

82 CAPE COD.

the regular successor of ]Mr. Levericb, and continued in
that relation for manj' years, Jlcssra. Bourne and Tupj^er
turning their attention to the Indians, in which field Mr.
Bourne, especially, tilled a sphere of great usefulness and
success. In Barnstable, Mr. Lothrop having died in 1653,
no one was found to take the leading position, which from
his talents and chamcter, he held in the church and town.
Mr. Lothrop was succeeded by Rev. Win. Sargent, the
lens^th of whose ministry, as also of that of Rev. John
Smith and of Mr. John Mayo, are not certainly known. In
1663, Rev. Thomas AValley became the minister of Barn-
stable, and was a distinguished and iniiuential man in his
day, though subject to many annoyances irom the Quaker
element of the town. Quakerism was not the only form
of dissent which was manifest here. Secretary Morton,
writing in 1654, records " great divisions in the Barnstable
church, occasioned by one John Cook, an Anal>aptist." Mr.
Walleyes treatment of dissenters of all shades was
characterized by great prudence and consideration, which
doubtless contributed to allay the excitement and compose
the theological difficulties which had before existed in this
town.

During these years, Rev. John Miller, the pastor of the
Yarmouth church, was ministering to a society somewhat
divided in sentiment, partly in consequence of the sui-vival
of old discontents and partly owing to the prevalence of the
spirit of unrest and dissatisfaction which was abroad in
other communities, and which had its reflection and expres-
sion here. Mr. Sliller resigned his position about the
year 1661, and Mr. Walley, before settling in Barnstable,
resided in this town, owned lands and was connected with
the society and church here. About the year 1663, Rev.
Thomas Thornton, a member of the established church of

EVEXTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. 8S

England, who was ejected from his linng the year before
by the Act of Conformity, commenced his labors with the
Yarmouth society*, although his installation into the pastoral
office did not occur until 1GG7. Mr. Thornton, in Ieai*ning,
native ability and character, was the equal of any of his
contemporaries in the Plymouth colony, but it illustrates the
critical spirit of the times, that a man of his gifts and
fitness for his work should have had to encounter fierce and
bitter opposition in the incipiency of his ministry. A
communication which has recently seen the light, signed by
fifteen leading meml)crs of the church, and addressed to the
governor and assistants of the colony, defends the character
of his sen'ices and rei>els aspei'sions upon the doctrinal
quality of his sermons, which had been employed to prevent
his' settlement in the town. This vindication appears to
have been successful, and the connection with the church,
thus formed, continued until near the close of the century.

While these controversies and mutual recriminations
between heated sectaries were proceeding in all the sur-
rounding communities, one eminent and devoted man
entered upon the work of piety and good will towards the
aboriginal inhabitants, whose minds had not, as yet, been
illumined by the light of civilization or the precepts of
christianit}\ Mr. Kichard Bourne, who has already been
mentioned as one of the original settlers of Sandwich, and
who had labored in the pulpit after the departure of Mr.
Leverich, conceived the idea of gathering the Indians of
Mashpee into a community by themselves, organizing them
as a civil society, teaching them the truths of the gospel,
and, as fast as might be, connecting them together under a
church discipline. The first grant was made for the promo-
tion of this project about the year 1661. His entire parish
embraced the region fi-om Middleboro to Provincetown.

84 CAPE COD.

The Apostle Eliot and Cotton assisted at his ordination*
His work was crowned with marked success. In a letter to
Major Gookin, dated many years later (Sept. 1, 1674,) he
said he was the only Englishman employed in this extensive
re^on, and the results of his labors are stated in a return,
of which this is a condensed abstract: ** Praying Indians
that do frequently meet together on the Lord's day to
worship God/' He names twenty-two places where meetings
were held. The num)>er of men and women who attended
these meetings was 309. Young men and maids 188.
Whole number of praying Indians 497. Of these, 142
could read the Indian language, 72 could write, and 9 could
read English. Statistics, however, fail to indicate the
influence of these labors upon the welfare of the colonists.
In the Indian war which followed, the important results of
Mr. Bourne's efforts were felt, contributing powerfully to
the safety of the colonists. What a contitist his work
presents to the fierce and fanatical stnf e which was going on
around him, of the professed followers of the Prince of
Peace, hanging and scourging men and women of a like
&ith, for following the "inward light" and wearing their
hats in public assemblies !

The long controversy between the authorities and Wm.
Nickerson, growing out of his attempts to acciuire titles of
lands at Monnamoit, was brought to a close in the year 1672.
The difficulties commenced sixteen years before. For
buying land of the Indians, and selling them a boat, in
1656, Mr. Nickei*son was disfranchised. Nothing daunted,
he the next year petitioned to have his lands confirmed to
him, and it was ordered that "the lands 1)e viewed, and that
he have a competency allowed him, and the rest be resigned
to the government." In 1659, he was "allowed his lands."
In 1663, he and his sons and his sons-in-law petitioned for

ETEXTS FOLLOWING THE 8ETTLEMENT& 85

liberty to settle a township at Monnamoit. In 1665, he was
again charged with illegally purchasing land of the Indians,
** submitted himself to the clemency of the court," and was
allowed one hundi'ed acres near his house. The rest of the
land at Monnamoit was granted ""to Mr. Thomas Hinckley,
Mr, John Freeman, Mr, Williiam Sargent, Mr. Anthony
Thacher, Nathaniel Bacon, Edmund Hawcs, Thomas Howes,
Sr., and Lieut. Joseph Rogers, in equal proportions, said
Nickerson to have an equal proportion with them in the
meadow lands." It was ordered that all said lands appertain
to and shall be "* within the limits of the township of
Yarmouth." The penalty of £5 for every acre illegally
purchased of the Indians by said Nickerson was remitted.
Other i)ersons having purchased lands in ^lonnamoit, without
a grant from the Court, and conflicting with the rights of
the aforesaid parties, a compromise was effected in 1672,
Mr. Nickerson agreeing to pay them a valuable consideration ;
and a grant was made to him by the general court, confirm-
ing his claim in the face of former controversies ; and the
settlement of Monnamoit proceeded without further imped-
iment. Mr. Nickei*son and his family had the full control
of the town in its incipient stages. This statement of the
official steps taken in the progress of the controversy gives
little idea, however, of tlie bitterness and angry feelings
engendered, which extended to the church and the social
relations of the parties. Mr. Nickerson and his sons were
arraigned, in 1GG7, for scandalously reproaching the Court,
in a letter to the Governor of New York, and put under
bonds to the amount of £500. The next year he was called
upon to answer for words spoken against the preaching of
Mr. Thornton. He and his sons were also set in the stocks
for resisting the constable in the performance of his duty ;
and refusing to find sureties for future good behavior, he

86 CAPE COD.

was committed to prison and remained three days, at
the end of which time he relented, found the required
sureties, and was released. Mr* Nickerson, in other
transactions, had shown himself to be possessed of a litigious
disposition and a temper of some acerbity, but he does not
appear to have been entirely without provocation in these
transactions of the court. In 1674, Monnamoit, which had
been for nine years "within the libeities of Yaiinouth,"
together with Satucket, was included within the township of
Eastham.

The fisheries early attracted the attention of the colonists.
The Commissioners of the United Colonies, in 1659, recom-
mended to the several general couits, to regulate the taking
of mackerel, ''conceiving that fish to be the most staple
commodity of the country." The Cape fisheries, both cod
and mackerel, were of the first importance, and the fishery
privileges became a matter of contention l^etween eager
rivals. ''Strangers" were taxed by the court for the
privilege of "fishing at the Cape," and other enactments
were made, which will be set forth in a chapter devoted to
the subject.

The Indians of the Colony of New Plymouth, engaged
themselves to fidelity to the English, the 10th of April,
1671, and subscribed to the agreement "by some of the
chief of them," at the Court held in Plymouth the 7th of
June of the same year. This engagement was entered into
doubtless, in consequence of the threatening attitude of
Philip, whose conduct had already begun to excite suspicions
in the minds of the colonists. Seveml Cape sachems were
among the subscribing parties, among them the mark of
John Quaqaquansuke, of Paomett, John Quason Taswott,
of Monnamcick, his mark; of Sachcmus and Little Robin
and Wahoonettshunke ; the mark of Sabatubkett ; Katemet,

EVENTS FOLLOWIXG THE SETTLEMENTS. 87

alias Sampson of Xobscussett; Katemet, alias Katenat, of
ii^Iattacheesett, bis mark; and *' Sampson of Xausct is sick
and is not come;" "Humphrey of Wecquahutt, is not
come." The need of strengthening good relations Ixjtween
the English and the neigh1x)ring Indians was felt and
appreciated at this time. It will be seen that this
foresight and precaution of the fatliers was not at fault,
and that they stood in sore need of all the aid and friend-
ship that were available, in the dark times which had already
begun to cast their shadow over the land.

In 1673 Gov. Thomas Prence died, and was succeeded
by Josias Winslow. Gov. Prence was of a stern, unyielding
and austere temperament. In his dealings with the Quakers
he was severe and uncompromising, evincing no sympathy
with those who presumed to differ from him and his
associates, in matters of belief. Theologically, he was a
Puritan, rather than an Independent. Tolcrati(m and
independence of thought were not permitted in the slightest
degi'ee. On the other hand, it ought to be said to his credit,
that Gov. Prencc's enlightened views and policy on the
subject of popular education were in advance of the times,
and reflected credit upon his administration.

Upon his accession to the government, Mr. AVinslow
reversed the policy of his predecessor in the treatment of
the Quakers. This showed progress on his pait ; for in the
earlier stages of this controvcry, while an assistant of the
governor, he had evinced much repugnance to these
sectaries, and appeared to be partially in sympathy with
Gov. Prence and his other associates. It is to his -credit
that he retraced the false steps with which he stalled. A
result of the new policy of the government was the restora-
ticm of James Cudwoilh and Isaac Robinson to their rights
as freemen — men whose services, particularly those of

88 CAPE COD.

Cudworth, proved of the highest value and importance in the
terrible struggle near at hand.

The history of the early Quaker persecution in this
county presents the spectacle of the magistrates of the
colony on one side and the body of the people of the Cape
on the other. This dark, pathetic and saddening story
will be told in a separate chapter.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1650-1672.

1053. Capt. Stnndish was appointed to rectifj the bounds between
Barnstable and Sandwich.— The wife of Tristram Hull of Barnstable
was warned by the Court to desist from hindering the servant of
Samuel Mayo from performing faithful service to her master.— The
town of Sandwich was preseuteil for not having a common stock of
powder and iihot.— Jonathan Hatch of Barnstable was presented for
furnishing an ludiau with a gun and ammunition, but ** cleared/' — ^Mr.
Prince of Eastham, Mr. Howes of Yarmouth, John Chipman of
Barnstable, and Richard Bourne of Sandwich, were appointed to
receive from these several towns "the oil of the country.'*

1658. Josins Hallet and Thomas Gage of Yarmouth were presented
by the court ** for profaning the Lord's day, by putting forth to sea
from Sandwich harbor on the Lord's day,*' and fined.

1654. A vessel belonging to Mr. Samuel Mayo, of Barnstable,
employed in conveying the goods of Mr. Leverich from Sandwich to
Oyster Bay, Long Island, was seized by the authorities of Rliode
Island. Commissioners were appointed by the Plymouth authorities
to look into the matter, and the act was disavowed by the govern-
ment.— Wm. Chase, of Yarmouth, presented for driving a yoke of
oxen on the Lord's day, in time of exercise, about five miles. — Mashan-
tampaine, sachem of Yarmouth, was accused of " >tealing a gun, and
that his dogs injured the cattle of the inhabitants," and that *'he had
in his possession a chest of tools," the inference being that they were
not his. On the fir^t charge he was acquitted; on the last two, incxuiry
was ordered, and we hear no more of the matter. — Sandwich was
presented for not providing stocks and whipping posts; also for not
having a full complement of arms. Eastham was presented for not
having a pound.— It appearing that injury had been done by horses to
to the Indians' corn at Manomet, it was ordered that the damage must
be paid, and Mr. Freeman was authorized to luive the matter properly
adjusted.— The bounty on wolves was ordered to be paid, as follows :
Barnstable 0, Yarmouth 6, Sandwich 4, Eustham 4.

1657. A controversy between the sachem Yanuo, or Janno, and the
inhabitants of Yarmouth, about the title to land?, was referred to

CHROKOLOGT OP ETEKTS. IB

John Alden and Lieut. Soutbworlh, who decreed thst the title of the
InhKbUants nball be ronflrmed, nud that tbe lacbem ehall have paid to
Mm fix coate, «ix pair rimall bitieubes, teu boe*, ten bai«beti, two
braM kettles and one irou ketltt;.

1658. Tbe town of Snndirtch Toted to authorize Thomas Tobejr to
pay IS Hhillia^ to tbe ludiatis for erery woU killed by them.

IBS). Jnme$ Skiff, cboaeu \iy tbe toivn of Saudwich tor deputy, waa
rejected by tbe court, on account of his procllTttiee In favor at the
Quakera.

lGOl-2. Rev. John Smith aud others of the Bnru«ta1ile church, hBvtng
seceded and formed lbem.^lve« into auotber and distinct Boolety, a
CDUUcil ot neigbboriug chun'bes was held, which disowned the seced-
ers, reuounced fellowship with them, and called upon tbe churches to
do the ^ame.

IBS!. The rates for public charges were an follows: Pnndwloh, 10
pounds, :isbilliugi<, pence; Yarmouth, 10 pounds, 2,0; Barnstable,]!
poundf, 2, 0; KaiitbiiiD, 8 pounds, 2, 0,

mtS. Kenelm Wiu«lou-, Jr., ot Tarmoutb, wa-> Sued 10 sbillinga "for
riding on tbe Ijord's day," altbongh be pleaded necessity. — Ur.
Hinckley. Tliomus Dexter, Jr., and Couataut Soutbwortb, appoiul«d
to settle the bouud* between Sandwich aiidriymoulh.— It was ordered
"that Sacoonessett shall, tor the present, lielong to Barnstable."

KXo, Robert Harper was publldly whipped by order of the court,
"for disturbing public wor.-^bip iu Snudwli'h and Barnstable;" and
Richard Willis was set In the stocks "For ribaldry." These persons
persisted In going t-o the places of public worship, and "bearing their
t«siimouy" while the services were progressing.

1668. Francis, sachem 'Of Nauset, was fined 10 pounds, "for unoiTlI
and Inhumtin words to Capt, Allen, at Cape Cod, when cast away." —
Seneral military musters were ordered to l>e held on the seoond
TTednesday ot the eusniug year, at Plymouth, Yarmouth and Taunton.

1671. Certain persons In Hull petitioned the gofemmeut "for
permission to flab at Cape Cod for mackerel, they having discovered
a new method of Hshiug with nets by moonlight."

ISn. The laws, hitherto in manuscript only, were, for the first time,
printed and distributed to tbe towns of the colony.— Seecunlc and hia
two sons who Uaimed to have Inherited icorton Neck in Sandwiob,
of Iheu fnllier fii\ \ (h< cud u< \t to Bam tnUli' or tbe '^andj Beatih "
c Bam<tnb[e men — Succouessett was authorized by the
make good and wbolesome ordtrs for it4 government and

CHAPTER VII.

THE EARLIEST QUAKERS.

Appenrance of the first Quakent—RepreMlrp Stntutcs— "Thomaa
Hluokley'BLaw"— Holdeti aud Copeliiud wliipped at Baruitahle —
Borlow'd Appolutmeut m Murshat — l>ruBe<:ullou of Saudwich
p«opl« for harlioiiiig Quakers— Cud worth and Ixiuio Roblnnou
didframtil«ed for deleudlug them— "The luiranl Lt^hftbe ha^U
of QuakerUm— Cupo Quakers uelthor abu«ive uor ladeveut— STo
legal warraut for their persecution.

'^•5;,^^9 HE Quaker persecution, which left so dork
' Y J a blot ui»on the generatiou in which it
' ^^^-J^^ti transpired, cannot in any considerable
^^^j);^-*S tlcgrep i-cflect upon the citizens of the Cap©
^ (^^^ couimuuitics, where these events o«rcurred,
and the resiwnsibility for which rests with
the colonial authorities, urged and goaded on by the ruling
classes of Mas3achu:K!tts Bay. "The peo])le called Quakers,"
but who themselveri took the name of "Friemls," began to
trouble the Puritans of Boston and Mussacbusctts Colony
about the year 165ti. In July of that year, Mary Fisher
and Ann Austin arri^'ed in Boston from England. Xo law
forbid their cooiiug, and no proof of the character of these
women or of their purposes was in the po^tsession of the
authorities. They were immediately, without arraignment
or examination, imprisoned and treated with the greatest
indignitic^i. A month later, eight others of this soct arrived
from London. They were also impri^joned, and the books
which they bi-ought were contiscated and destroyed. Sentence

THE EARLIEST QUAKERa 01

of banishment was passed upon them, and the masters of the
vessels which brought them, were required to carry them
out of the colony. Then folIoAved repressive Jaws, resulting
in iines, scourgings, imprisonments, and the hanging of
four persons, including one woman.

Owing to the fierce persecution which the Quakers
encountered in Alassachusetts, many of them crossed over
into the more tolci-ant region of the Plymouth jurisdiction ;
the first town in which they were found in considerable
numbers being Scituate. The great body of the people,
including Mr. Hatherly and Mr. Cudworth, while not
accepting their religious theories, tried to shield them from
persecution. But these brave and liberal men only drew
upon themselves the indignation and censure of the author-
ities. The C(mimissionei"s of the Colonies, one of which —
the powerful colony of Massachusetts Bay — was the leading
factor, reconnncnded the several colonies to pass and enforce
more stringent laws for the suppression of heresy. The
Plymouth colony hesitated, but finally complied. It was at
first attempted to accomplish this puqoose by enforcing a
law passed some years previous, which provided "that if any
neglect the worshij) of God in the place where he lives, and
set up a worship contrary to God and the allowances of this-
government, to the public profanation of God's holy day
and ordinances, he shall pay 10 shillings," The effort to
enforce this law failed, because the offender must be
convicted of doinir all these thinors, in order to become
liable to the penalty provided. Gen. Cudworth states the
curious fact, that in ilarch, 1658, a court of deputies was
called, when, after passing sundry acts relating to the
Quakers, they contrived to make this law efficacious by
quietlj'^ erasing the word "and" in the act, and substituting
^^or" therefor; which, being disjunctive instead of conjuno-

92 CAPE COD.

tiye, made both branches of the act operative. This
alteration y says Cud worth, though made in 1658, stands
upon the record as the work of 1651, and was enforced to
the letter against the Quakers.* This kiw which was
referred to in some of the writings of the time as, "Thomas
Hinckley's law," was understood to liave been drafted by
Mr. Hinckley when he was a deputy, to meet another class
of cases, and he was no more res}M)nsible than his associates
for its changed and obnoxious form.

The additional laws passed in Plymouth colony, in
accordance with the suggestions of the Commissioners,
though less severe than those enacted by Massachusetts,
were yet violative of the rights of conscience and hospitality.
They required any one bringing Quakei's into the colony to
return them from the place whence they came, under a
penalty of 20s. per day after giving warning; forbade
entertaining them under a penalty of £5 every day, or of
being whipped; required that any one knowing of the
presence of a Quaker should inform the authorities, and
that such Quaker, when apprehended, should l)e sent to jail
until he should pay the cost of his imprisonment and
transportation ; that any such persons holding Quaker
meeting be fined 40s. each for every speaker, and 10s. for
hearers who were heads of families, and 40s. for the owner
of the place of meeting ; that strolling Quakers be sent to
the House of Correction ; that their books and writings \ye
subject to seizure ; that those entertaining Quakers be subject
to a fine of £5, or be whipped ; that such persons coming
into any town be committed to jail, and enjoined to depart
out of the government, in default of which to l>e whipped ;
that any person permitting a Quaker meeting in his house,
be publicly whipped or pay £5 ; that no Quaker be admitted

•Cudworth's Letter to Brown, 1C58.

THE EARLIEST QUAKERa 9»

as a freeman; that freemen who became Quakers or
encouragers of them, should lose their freedom ; that their
horses might be seized by any person who should deliver
them over to the constable , and that the same should be
liable to 1)e forfeited to the use of the government ; that any
one bringing in or becoming a guide to a Quaker, shall be
fined £10. These inhuman statutes, enacted at different
periods from 1G57 to 1661, were moditied or rej^ealed, and
others enacted in their place, as the circumstances seemed to
the court to demand.

These prohibitions and penalties did not, however, deter
the people from extending offices of Christian hospitality to
all who sought them in their distress, and thus incurring the
displeasure of tlie government. As early as 1657, two
Friends, Christopher Plolden and John Copeland, landed at
Bhode Island, and going thence to ilartha's Vineyard, where
Mayhew, the Indian missionary, caused them to be conveyed
to the mainland, they set tlicir feet upon the Cape soil at
Succannesset, Aug. 20, of that year, and. proceeded at once
to Sandwich. Events which had preceded their coming had
prepared the way for the reception of the doctrines preached
by them. There was a considerable number in this town
who were unsettled in their church relations, who were
doubtful of the propriety of stated preaching, and who
lielieved it the duty of Christians, without human ordination,
to exercise their own gifts in tlie ministry. In consequence
of the prevailing unsettlement of opinion, the minister, Mr.
Leverich, had left his flock and gone to Long Island. The
preaching of Holden and Copeland was hailed with feelings
of satisfaction by those who found but little food in stated
preaching or forms of worship. Not less than eighteen
families in Sandwich were on record the next year as
professing Quakerism. The fires of persecution were at

04 CAPE COD.

once kindled. Complaint was made, in 1657, against several
})ersons for meeting on the Lord's days at the house of Wm.
Allen of Sandwich^ '*and inveighing against ministers and
magistrates, to the dishonor of God and the contempt of
government." Jane Sanders and Sarah Kirby of the same
town, "for disturbance of public worship, and for abusing
the minister," were sentenced to be publicly whipped. It
was further ordered that Nicholas Upsal, alleged instigator
of all this disturbance, ''be carried out of this government
by Tristram Hull, who brought him.** This was a case of
great hardship. Upsal was an old man, a member in good
standing of the Boston church. An ej^e-witness to the
cruelties practised upon the Quakers who first came over,
he entered his protest against these ti'ansactions. He was
arrested, fined £20, and banished from the colony, on the
charge of having ''reproached the magistrates and spoken
against the law." Thus banished, he went to Plymouth, but
there the people were forbidden to entertain him. A Cape
man, who was transiently there, had compassion on bis
sufferings, and took him under his protection, as far, at
least, as Sandwich. The hospitality of the people was not
denied him, and hence his enteilainei's and benefactors were
followed by the penalties of the law. AVherever he went
his persecutors followed him. In the language of the poet
Whittier, applied to another, he could say :

** My lite id hunted ; evil meu

Are f oUowing ou my track ;
The traces of the torturer's whip

Are ou my aged back."

Other persons in Sandwich were arraigned for entertaining
Quakers, and for language implying censure of the govern-
ment, and admonished and fined, according to the degree of
their offence. In the following March, Peter Gaunt, Daniel
Wing, Ralph Allen, Jr. and William Allen, of Sandwich,

THE EABLIEST QUAKERS. 95

were an'aigned for *^ tumultuous carnage at a meeting of
Quakei's," were convicted, admonished and lined. A
considcnible nunil)er of citizens of that town were summoned
Ixjfore the court to give a reason for not taking the oath of
fidelity to the govcninient, and answered that thcj" held it
unlawful to take an ojith; and tliey were also fined. So
general was the dissatisfaction with the government in
Sandwich that the constable, AVilliam Bassctt, reported that
he was opposed in the execution of his office, and was
unable to collect the rates or the fines levied on tlie Quakers,
Cudworth stating that almost all of that town adhered to the
new sect. At a subsequent court, the marshal was ordered
to levy a fine of 40s. upon M'illiam Allen for pennitting a
Quaker meeting in his house, and Lieutenant Fuller of
Barnstable, for speaking reproachfully of the court, and for
saying the law enacted about ministers' maintenance was ''a
wicked and devilish law, and that the devil sat at the stem
when the law was enacted," was fined 40s. Extraordinary
excitement everywhere prevailed ; and it is not strange that
a class thus j)roscribed and [>ersecuted should say many
extravagant things, and perform some acts which do not
meet the requirements of the canons of good taste. It
would hardly be surprising if persons in their situation were
guilty of greater offences than a mere breach of the laws of
politeness.

In this posture of affairs, the court resorted to the
expedient of creating an oflicer for the especial purpose of
enforcing the laws against heresy, with jurisdiction extend-
ing over the towns of Sandwich, Barnstable, and Yarmouth,
in which the local authorities, to their everlasting honor,
refused to act. For this office they appointed George
Barlow, a man who, by his chai-acter and conduct in office,
brought disgrace upon the law, if that were possible, and

M CAPE COD.

certainly upon the government whose creature he was.
Barlow set about his work with a zeal which commended his
fitness for the business upon which he was engaged. June
23, he arrested Holden and Copeland, the two Quaker
preachers, while on their way to the meeting in Sandwich.
They had been sentenced to banishment from the colony on
the second of February preceding, and had l)een whipped at
Pljinouth, subsequently, for not complying with the order
of the court. Barlow canied them before the selectmen of
Sandwich, who had been appointed in the a1>sence of a
magistrate to witness the execution of the law. They,
** entertaining no desii*e to sanction measures so severe
towards those who differed from them in religion, declined
to act in the case." Barlow kept the prisoners in his house
six days, and then carried them to Banistable, before Tliomas
Hinckley, one of the magistiutes, and assistant of Governor
Prence. After an examination, they were tied to an old
post and thii-ty-two cruel stripes were laid upon their naked
backs. There were many spectatoi's present, one of whom,
in the anguish of her spirit, exclaimed, '^How long, Lord,
shall it be, ere thou avenge the blood of thine elect?" And
afterwards, bewailing herself, added, "Did I forsake father
and mother, and all my relations, to come to Now England
for this? Did I ever come to New England for this ? AVho
could have thought it?" It was indeed a day of humiliation
for Barnstable.

Other repressive measures were resorted to. Sundry
citizens of Sandwich, the greater part of whom, if not the
whole, were Quakers, having petitioned the court for a
redress of their grievances, the governor and his associates,
at a court held at the house of Mr. Richard Bourae, assumed
that they had not been legally admitted as inhabitants, and,
therefore, refused them all redress, notwith^^tauding that

THE EARLIR8T QUAKERS. 97

they had lived there and occupied their estates from the
earliest time, and were actually townsmen, though perhaps
not technically freemen. They were, therefore, forbidden,
at a session of the court held in October, to act in any
toini-meeting, or to claim any priWleges as townsmen. By
this decision nearly one-half of the Sandwich Quakers were
disfranchised. At the same court, eleven Sandwich men
were fined £5 each, for refusing to take the oath of
fidelity. Tlic proceedings at this court were turbulent and
disorderly in the extreme. The Quakei*s, it must be
admitted, wei*o imtating in their demeanor and disrespectful
to the magistrates, using language which no court at this
day would submit to or allow to be used, without commit-
ting the offenders for contempt. Governor Prence and ilr.
Winslow also appear to poor advantage in the accounts
which liave 1)een preserved of their demeanor on this
c*ccasion. Bishop states that the latter ''showed much
vehemence and ticixjeness of spirit" against the Quakers,
^sometimes starting up and smiting the table with a stick,
then with his hand, thcp stamping with his foot, saying he
** could not bear it;" ''Let them have the strapado." But
the court did not proceed to the extreme of inflicting
corporal punishment; the fines and disabilities which
followed were, however, severe, and bore with great hardship
upon their victims. During this trial, Mr. Hinckley and
Capt. AVillet, who were associate magistrates, seem not to
have indulged in controversy with the accused, and thus
escaped the denunciation of these sharp-tongued controver-
sialists.

In Decemlxjr following, Barlow was ordered by the court
to proceed to Manomet to apprehend all Quakers who came
into the country by sea at that place, and to seize their boats
and tackle, and bring the Quakers before a magistrate. At

96 CAPB COD.

the same time a summons was sent for James Skiff, one of
the most substantial citizens of Sandwich, ^'to answer to such
things as shall be objected against him, in regard to
traducing the law about i*efusing to take the oath of fidelity."
Mr. Skiff was subsequently rejected as a deputy from
Sandwich for his uttemnces against the proceedings in
relation to these transactions.

Barlow's inclinations and activity seem to have led him
in the direction of East Sandwich, where the thrifty and
industrious husbandmen resided, and where he could levy
upon the produce of their fields and herds. This he did
without any compunction or any apparent feeling of
compassion for the sufferers. AVilliam Allen's fines
amounted to £86, 17s., £40 for twenty meetings at his
house, £4 for attending meetings in other places, £5 for
entertaining Quakers, £25 for refusing to take the oath of
fidelity, £1 for refusing to take off his hat in court, and the
balance for expenses. In payment for these fines 18 head
of cattle were taken from him, 1 mare, 2 colts, l>esides
other goods. These distraints were made by Barlow at
different times. Allen was nearly ruined by these spoliations,
and having ventui'ed into the jurisdiction of ^Massachusetts
was also arrested and thrown into jail. His house, lands, a
cow ''left out of pity for his family," and a little com were
all that remained. Barlow ap})eare(l on the scene to make
additional distraints. He was drunk and brutal. He seized
the corn, the cow, and a bag of meal, which a kind friend
had just brought from the mill. This was in.sufiicicnt for
his greed. He seized the copper kettle, the only one
remaining, and then mockingly addressing Mrs. Allen, said,
''Now Piiscilla, how will thee cook for thyself and thy
family ? thou hast no kettle." She meekly" replied, ** George,
that God who hears the young ravens when they ciy will

THE EARLIEST QUAKERS. W

provide for them. I trust in that God, and verily lielievc
that the time will come when thy necessity will be greater
than mine." He carried off the goods, but remembered the
testimony, and lived to see it verified.

'William Allen was not the only sufferer. Edward Perry,
his neighbor, a man of wealth and education, endured
greater pecuniary loss. Ro1>ert Harper liad his house, lands,
and all tliat he had, taken, and suffered besides, cruel
imprisonments and puni:9hments. Thomas Johnson, a
weaver, was stripj^d of all his possessions. AVilliam
Gifford, Richard Kerby, Sr. and Jr., Matthew Allen,
Thomas Ewer and still others, experienced the full rigors of
the law in these temble years. John Jenkins, 2d, of
Sandwich, for refusing to take the oath or fidelity, and
attending Quaker meetings, was fined £19, 10s. Barlow
seized 1 cow, 2 steers, m(mey due him, and the onlj* kettle
in the house. AVhen he seized this vessel, Mrs. Jenkins
threw down a piece of cloth, twice the value of the kettle,
and begged him to take that, as she would have nothing in
which to cook for her family. Barlow refused. In levying"
for fines, his object was as much to annoy and injure as ta
secure lx)oty, and he took such articles as would inflict the
most distress upon the family. Cooking utensils of all
kinds were scarce and h;td to be im}K)i'ted from England.

Barlow did not carry himself with this high hand without
meeting with considerable opposition from many of the
leading citizens, among whom there were some not of
Quaker proclivities. Mr. Edmund Freeman, Thomas Bur-
gess and others, were fined for refusing to act when
called upon by him as aids in his seizures, some of
them accompanying their refusal with uncomplimentary
remarks. Not only the Quakers, but many others used a
plainness of speech towards Barlow and his employers

100 CAPE COD.

that gave great offence to the subjects of their remarks.

In Octol)er, 1659, the court ordered Barlow to repair to
the houses of William Newland and Ralph Allen of
Sandwich, and Nicholas Davis of Barnstable, to search for
Quaker books and writings, but as no return is made thereon,
the presumption is that none such were found. Nicholas
Davis had suffered much for conscience sake. He was in a
court at Plymouth, in June, 1656, when Sandwich men
were fined for refusing to take the oath of fidelity. Though
not then a Quaker, he was indignant, and attempted to
speak, saying, " He was a witness for the Lord against their
oppression." He was about to say wherein, when he was
ordered to desist, was arrested and put into prison, but was
soon released. The same month he went to Boston on a
business mission, but was imprisoned to await the session of
the court of Assistants. His companions were AVilliam
Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson, Quaker prisoners who
wei'e afterwards hung on Boston Common. Here Davis was
kept in confinement until September, 1659, and was
liberated on the threat tliat if he was found in the colony
two days after he should suffer death. His only offence
consisted in bearing his testimony honestly against persecu-
tion for opinion's sake.

Complaints were made during the year 1660, against
parties in Sandwich for attending Quaker meetings, and for
harboring Quakei's and refusing to take the oath of fidelity,
and fines and distraints followed. Wenlock Christison, for
refusing to depart out of the colony, was sent to prison,
was ordered to ''lay neck and heels," and to be whipped,
which sentence was executed upon him ; and his entertainer,
William Newland of Sandwich, was fined £5.

It would be strange if such outrages against the freedom
of conscience and the liberty of belief should go unrebuked

THE EARLIEST QUAKERS. 101

in a community founded by the adhei*cnts of John Robinson
and AVaiiam Brewster. Enou<?h of the old leaven was left
in the body iK)litic to make itself felt and respected, and
which could not be suppressed by tines and scourgings.
James Cudworth, one of the most noble men of his day,
James Hatherly, Isaac Hobin^on, son of the Lcyden pastor,
who inherited his father's tolerant spirit, and many others
in the colony, uttered their protests against the persecuting
mania which beset the government and the churches. For
the boldnes:^ and plainness of si)eech in which he indulged,
Mr. Cudworth was disfranchised and removed from all
military and ci\nl employment under the government.
Isaac liobinson of liii-nstable was i^emiitted to attend
Quaker meetings, to try to admonish them, and after full
examination and intercourse with them, he recommended
that coercive measures be discontinued, and that every man
l)e unmolested in the exercise of his honest belief ; he was
treated in the same manner as Cudworth, and for thirteen
years was deprived of all his rights as a freeman.

The Quakers themselves did not tamely submit to this
accumulated cataloofue of outrasre and wrong without a
protest, and an effort to obtain from the home government
redress for their injuries. Samuel Shattuck, who had been
Imnished from Massachusetts on pain of death, relumed
from London in November, 1661, with the King's missive,
ordering them to *' forbear to proceed any further" against
the Quakers, and to send such as were imprisoned to
England for trial. It must have been mortifjing in the
extreme to Gov. Endicott to receive such a message at the
hands of this detested Quaker, but he expressed his intention
of com[)lying with its requirements. He kept his promise
only until it became safe to resume his old system of
persecution, by new and scarcely less barbarous methods.

102 CAPE COD.

In Plymouth colony, the King's missive was embraced as
the occasion for a change of policy in tliis respect, though
it may be doubted, if the home government had not
inteq>oscd, whether the people would much longer have
endured the excesses of Barlow or the oppi*essions of the
magistrates. It had begun to be regarded that such trans-
actions as have been naiTatcd were in contravention of
tmth and justice and opposed to the teachings of the earlier
Hlgrims, and the most enlightened minds of the colony
felt, as their children now feel, that they placed an indelible
blot on the record of the people and government. But for
the mass of the people of Cape Cod, these transactions have
left to all time an imperishable record of heroic resistance
to the attempt to fetter the consciences and restrain the
opinions of their fellow men.

Barlow's discreditable career about the same time came to
a close. He had already become offensive to those who had
employed him in their infamous business. He had accused
some of the best citizens of offences which the evidence
failed to substantiate, and had himself been convicted of
pilfering and drunkenness. He had gi*own rich on "the
spoils of the innocent," but soon lost it all and became very
poor and needy. In his old age he often craved the charity
of PrisciUa Allen, and never was refused ; yet he was to the
last ungrateful, and lived despised and died unregretted.

From the date of the aiiival of the King's missive to the
death of Gov. Prence, in 1673, though the laws of Plymouth
colony against the Quakers were not repealed, they
remained obsolete, so far as any active repressive measures
were concerned. Josias Winslow, who was then elected
Governor, at once entered upon a policy of reconciliation.
His associates in the government, some of whom — as in
the case of Mr. Hinckley and John Aklen — had co-operated

THE EARLIEST QUAKERS. lOS

THth Gov. Prcnce in his severe measures, are also to be
credited with the effort to establish a more humane and
tolerant system of dealing with differences of opinion and
belief. Capt. Cudworth and Isaac Robinson, by express
enactments of the court, were restored to their rights as
freemen, and the foimer was, by appointment and election,
designated for the highest offices in the gift of the colony,
dying while in England in her service. The Quakers still
resisted the payment of taxes for the support of the
ministry, and in most of the towns in the colony, these dues
were collected by distraints upon their property ; or where
no effects could be found, by fines or imprisonment.
Occasional outbreaks and disturbances are recorded; in
some instances the old animosities engendered by former
troubles overcoming the self-restraint of the Quakers and
leading them to become the aggressors. Edward Perry, of
Sand^nch, was, in 16G2, before the court for a ''railing
letter,** which he had addressed to the Governor, but
there is no record that any further action was taken
thereon. Two yeara later, Robert Harper, of the same
town, was publicly whipped ''for disturbing the public
worship at Sandwich and Barnstable," and Richard AVillis
was set in the stocks "for ribaldry." Some of the Cape
towns — Yarmouth among the others — at a subsequent date,
while including the names of these people on the tax list,
added a sufficient sum to the rates of those whose taxes
were collectable, to make up the default on the part of the
Quakers to pay the "priest's tax," and thus these people
were practically exempted from contributing for the support
of a ministrj* obnoxious to their consciences.*

It is difficult to assign an adequate motive, founded simply
upon the question of their opinions or morals, for the

•Yarmouth Records.

104 CAPE COD.

rancorous hatred of the Puritans towards the Quakers. For»
although Secretary Morton has styled them ''a pernicious
sect " that ^ sowed their corrupt and damnable doctrines in
almost every town," and others have written of them in a
similar strain, their belief, as defined by themselves, does
not bear out this construction. In the ** Vindication,'* which
was published as an authentic cxi)osition of their opinions,
they declare : " AVe believe the Scriptures of the Old and
New Testaments to be of divine origin, and give full credit
to the historical facts, as well as the doctrines therein
delivered, and never had any doubt of the truth of the
actual birth, life and sufferings, resurrection and ascension
of Jesus Christ, as related by the evangelists ; without any
mental or other reserve, or the least diminution by
allegorical explanation." Their personal habits were simple,
abstemious, and self-denying; in their dealings they were
scrupulous and exact. Xo issue could be raised, founded
simply on their life or their professions. But they Ixjlicved
and practised these things, not, they said, because they had
been taught them by those who were set up as spiritual
teachers, but because they had been revealed to them by the
Most High. As expounded by George Fox, the Quaker
held that the Divine law is written in the hearts of men, and
that to read it aright wc must listen to the voice of God in
our own souls. This voice he called the "Inward Light."
**The principle of the inward light," says one of their
modern authorities, "is the theological basis of Quakerism,
and, in fact, it is the only theological doctrine involved in
the Quaker religion."*

With this conception of spiritual truth in their minds, it
is not difficult to appreciate the Quaker protest against an
ordained ministry, composed of hired officials. The spirit

•Halloweird Pioueer Quakers.

THE EARLIEST QUAKERS. lOS

of God revealed to men, and not intcllectaal training, tbey
held, qualified men to become religious teachers. In a
community which regarded the ministerial office almost as
sacred, and church organizations as essential to the spiritual
well-being of mankind, the doctrines of Quakerism must
therefore have been regarded as pernicious and demoi-alizing,
and the ministers as a class, especiallj*, felt that the
dissemination of its tenets meant a life and death struggle
for their position in civil society. But it is to the credit of
the Cape ministers that, unlike those of Massachusetts Bay,
tbey did not seek to persecute or coerce the Quakers. On
the contrary, some of them — especially ilr. Walley — are
distinctly on record as against the prevailing policy of the
colony; and the proceedings of the Plymouth magistrates
fell far shoit in ferocity of those of Massachusetts Bay.

The defence which is most commonly made against the
charge of cinielt}' and intolerance on the part of the churches
and government was, (1) that the Quakers, by their abusive
and indecent conduct, compelled society to deal with them
with great severity ; and, (2) that the colonies had a right
to exclude those of differing religious creeds whom they
deemed unworthy or undesirable residents. So far as this
community, at least, is concerned, the Quakei*s were an
orderly and unoffending class. They were perliaps socially
unattractive, and unconciliatory so far as the usages of
society were concerned; employing great plainness of
speech and lack of deference to men of station and authority,
but were in hardly any other way aggressive. The exceptions
in this respect, perhaps, were in the cases where they
invaded the meetings of the congregations assembled for
religious exercises, and insisted upon "bearing their
testimony" to the scandal of the assembled worshippers.
Their addressing the governor in court, with the exclamation.

"Thomas, thou iyeat," "thou art a malicious man," was
sufficient excuse for committing them for contempt, if the
court itself had not indulged in language of rituperation
and denunciation not strictly judicial in its tone.

As to the pretension that a right had been acquired bj
the authority of any cliarter or patent, to exclude disagree-
able or obnoxious persons coming into the colony, that
doctrine n-jll not be seriously contended for at this day,
however it may have impressed our Withers. Xo such power
was conferred upon them by virtue of auy instrument under
which they acted, and the Quakers Lad as good a right, both
legally and morally, to the exercise of their opinions, as
any other sectaries had to theirs. The plea has by some
writers been set up that "the Quakers who tirst appeared in
the colony were not inhabitants of the country; they came
from abroad," etc.* This is a flimsy pretext by people who
themselves had but i-eccntly come to those shores. But if it
were a valid plea it was not true in the case of the Quakers
of the Cape. The greater part of those proceeded against
in these towns were not recent comers, but old residents
here, who had acquired property and rights as citizens, and
their change of views and opinions was the result of
reflection and meditation, aud in accordance with their
conscientious sense of duty. They naturally felt uuti-aged
at being denied the right of speaking their minds on matters
of the highest concern to them, or of being deprived of
exercising hospitality and cliristian charity, at the dictation
of men fallible like themselves ; and in this the world now
recognizefl that they were right, and that their persecutors
were altogether in the wrong.

•Bnyli.'z',

CHAPTER Vm.

KING PHILIP'S WAR.

Plilllp IdeaU2eiI In lit«nitare— Capt. John Qorham's march to HonnC
Hope— Battle of Narragantett Swamp— Death of Capt. Gorham
— Second r«ar'acampalgu—Cap« Ia<uid in Capt, Pierce'i Ainbu*-
cade— Death of Philip and close of the War—Attitude of Cap*
IndiHOB— War Policy of the Goremment dl«ouB»ed— Fecunlarj
Burden*— Irish subscription.

HE sanguinary period in colonial history
kuonii as King Philip's War, although not
aged within. the limits of Cape Cod, was
broufflit near to her people by their partici-
'j/^j pation in the various campaigns ; by losses
4i^itwi'-^'^ of her sons in battle ; by diseases contracted
PffiH^^ ' durinp its progress ; and by charges incident
to its prosecution. It is known in history
«8 "Philip's "VA'ar," because Philip was so intimately connected
with its inception, and so far as the Massachusetts and
Plymouth Colonies were concerned, it closed with his life.
As to Philip himself, he seems to have been destitute of the
lofty and patriotic traits, or the comprehensive foresight,
which have been attributed to him bj- sentimental writers of
both fictitious and historical compositions. Washington
Irving invested him with many romantic traits, of which he
was destitute, and Dr. Palfrey, in his early Barnstable
Centennial discourse, si>oke of him in a ii^tyle which his later
historical studies led him to disavow. A jealous and morose

U

108 CAPE COD.

savage, he so poisoned and embittered the minds of the
Indians, with whom he came in contact, that they rushed
miprepared into a conflict, which he had neither the capacity
nor resources to direct to a successful issue against the
English colonists.

Philip, after the death' of his father, Massasoit, and his
brother, Alexander, while professing friendship for the
English, was really, through jealousy, misapprehension or
natural violence of disposition, nourishing resentment and
acquiring a spirit of discontent. The murder, near Middle-
boro, by some of his men, probably at his suggestion and
with his assent, of the educated Indian, Sausaman, who had
formerly been in his employ, was followed by the trial and
execution of the murderers by the colonial authorities. This
added fuel to the fire of resentment in the bosom of the
unreflecting savage. The attack of the Indians upon
Swansey, June 20, 1675, followed by other hostile move-
ments, resulted in a state of general hostilities. Orders
were sent to the captains of all the companies in the colony
to march without delaj', and June 24, Capt. John Gorham
and twenty-nine men from Yarmouth, whose names appear
on the record, '^took their first march" to Mount Hope.
Capt. Gorham had been of Barnstable only the year previous,
and it seems probable that the men from that town were also
under his command, although their names do not appear on
the town's books. The other towns also furnished their
quotas. They were mounted men, and proceeded with a good
degree of celerity. The Plymouth forces were in command
of Major Cudworth, and were in Swansey by June 24. The
theatre of war soon after changed to Massachusetts, and
Capt. Gorham and his command proceeded onwaixls to
the Connecticut valley. The Cape soldiers, though doing
their best to find and engage the enemy, had an opportunity

KING PHILIP'S WAR. 109

to do but little lighting, but thej' were much worn by
fourteen weeks' ineessunt marching and the hardships
incident to the campaign.

Oct, 4, the general court at Plymouth, after choosing
Major James Cudworth commander-in-chief of the colonial
forces in the tield, chos^e Capt. John Gorham as captain of
the other company, with Jonathan Sparrow of Kastliam his
lieutenant. Mr. Thomas Huckens of Bam:»table was chosen
commissary-general of the forces, and Capt. ilatthew Fuller
of Barnstable sumeon-jreneral. The number of soldiers
called for in the colony was 182, of which Sandwich was
required to furnisli IC, Yarmouth 15, Barnstable 16,
Eastham 8. Of these the four towns named were credited
with 3, 3, 2, 1, respectively, for their men then in garrison
at Mount Hoj>e. A town council of three for each town
was established, whose duty it should be to send forth
scouts, order watch and ward in the towns to take care of
the towns' ammunition, and to call the towns together for
making rates. For the Cape they were as follows : Sand-
wich, Mr. Richard Boume, ]\Ir. Edmund Freeman, Jr.,
Thomas To1>ey, Sr. ; Barastable, Mr. Thomas Hinckley,
^Ir. Thomas Huckens, Mr. Barnabas Lothrop ; Yaimouth,
Mr. Edmund Hawes, John Miller, Jeremiah Howes;
Eastham, Mr. John Freeman, Jonathan Sparrow, Mark
Snow.

The powerful Xan-agansett tribe, that had, some time
previous to the breaking out of hostilities, engaged by treaty
in a compact of friendship and amity with the English, was
found to be treacherously aiding and abetting Philip. This
was the most powerful tribe in Xew England, and its
subjugation was considered essential to the security of the
colonists. The Commissioners of the United Colonies
detennined to raise a force of one thousand more men for

UO CAPE COD.

this special service. Governor Winslow of the Plymouth
colony was selected for commander-in-chief. For this
service another levy was made of 11 men from Sandwich, 10
from Yarmouth, 13 from Barnstable and 9 from Eastham.
It was ordered that if any one pressed into service should
refuse to go, he should forfeit £10, or suffer imprisonment
for six months.

The place where the XaiTagansetts were encamped for the
winter was in the present town of North Kingstown, Rhode
Island. It was a position of gi'eat natural strength and
inaccessibility. It was a solid lot of upland of about six
acres, wholly suiTounded by dense swamp. On the inner
side the Indians had driven rows of palisades, making a
barrier of nearly a rod in thickness ; and the only entrance
to the enclosure was over a rude bridge, consisting of a
felled tree four or five feet f I'om the ground, the bridge being
protected by a block-house. According to information
afterwards received from a captive, the Indian warriors here
collected were as many as 3500. They were on their guard
for invaders. The English, after a march of eighteen niiles^
through a deep snow, on the forenoon of Dec. 19, arrived
at the fort about 1 o'clock, and immediately, advanced to the
attack. The battle was despei*ate and bloody. Four
English captains were killed, other oiScers were killed or
received moi-tal wounds, and seventy men were killed and
one hundred and fiftj'' wounded. At length victory declared
for the assailants, who finished their work by setting tire to
the wigwams within the fort. The number of the enemy
that perished was estimated to 1)e in the neighborhood of
one thousand fighting men. The number of women and
non-combatants that perished from hunger and cold none
can tell. The military strength of the tribe was irrcpambly
broken. The English, being without shelter, were obliged

KINO PHILIP'S WAR. lU

to immediately retrace their way by a night-march to
Wickford, where, with their M-omided, after hours of
suffering and exertion through the gathering snow, they
arrived earlj'' the next morning. Some of the wounded
died before reaching their camp, and others suffered from
severe sickness contracted during that feai*ful day. Capt.
John Gorham, who led the company comprising the Cape
Cod contingent, contracted a fever, from which he died at
Swansey, the ensuing February. Sergeant Nathaniel Hall
of the Yarmouth company, and John Barker of Barnstable,
a private, were wounded, but no other Cape man was
reported as injured. The Connecticut and Massachusetts
companies, that first entered the fort, sustained the chief
loss. Mr. Thomas Hinckley, of Barnstable, who was
aftenvards governor of Plymouth colony, was commissary-
general of thi.< expedition, and a daughter was boni to him
Dec. 15, four davs before this battle. The child was named
Reliance, because the mother relied that God would protect
the father in the {perils which surrounded him.

The council of war, which, alternately with the general
court and the magistrates, performed legislative and
executive functions in relation to war matters, ordered that
the sum of £1000 be assessed, for the payment of the
necessities of the soldiers, the proportions of the several
towns being: Sandwich, £92, 13s., 6d. ; Barnstable, £99,
3s., 6d. ; Yarmouth, £74, ISs., 6d. ; Eastham, £66, 16s., 6d.

Another le^y of three hundred English and one hundred
Indians was ordered to be ready for a march by the 11th of
April, 1676, the proix)ilion8 this time l>eing 28, 26, 30 and
18, for the towns of Sandwich, Yarmouth, Barnstable and
Eastham, respectively. Before that day arrived changes in
the aspect of affairs had occurred, and the troops were not
in all cases promptly furnished. Governor Winslow com-

112 CAPE COD.

plained that Scituate and Sandwich ** proved very deficient,'*
by which his plans were frustrated. Both these towns, it
subsequently appeared, had good reason for their apparent
remissness. Sandwich was a frontier town for the whole
Cape, and was obliged to act as a bamer to the incursions
of the Indians from abroad, who were extremely anxious to
establish communications with the Cape Indians, by which
they might be seduced from their allegiance to the English.
This required a good many men to keep guard. The town,
owing to the Quaker element, had a larger number of non-
combatants than any other in the colony. The isolation of
the Cape Indians from those of the Plymouth colony was a
most valuable service, in more than one v/av. At a time
when an interior line of communication was unsafe, Capt.
Benj. Church, who lived in the vicinity of Mount Hope, and
wished to communicate with the Plymouth authorities, took
passage in a Barnstable vessel for Woods Holl, and
proceeding thence through Succannesset and Sand\vich and
by the bay, arrived at Plymouth while the General Court
was in session, to their great joy and surprise. He returned
by the same route, being paddled in their canoe, by two
Succannesset Indians by way of the Elizabeth Islands, to
his home in Rhode Island. Subsequently, the squaw
sachem, Awashonks, gave in her adhesion to the English,
and was ordered with all her retinue of men, women and
children, to repair to Sandwich, where she could be beyond
the reach of unfriendly influences. Capt. Church, who
after her capture, repaired to Sandwich to fulfill his
engagement to meet her there in a week, was unable to find
her, and proceeded to Mattapoisett, where she and her
followers had encamped near the seashore.*

♦Mr. Freeman, Hist. Cape Cod, gives the impression that Awashonks
was found on the Cape, which Church's narrative shows not to have
been the case.

KING PHILIPS WAR. 118

Attacks, with varying results, were sua^tained during this
year bj' towTis in the westerly part of Massachusetts, when
the tide of war again turned towards Plymouth colony.
Capt. Michael Pierce of Scituate, with alx)ut seventy men,
twenty of whom were friendly Indians from Cape C!od,
went in pursuit of the enemy on the western Iwrder of the
colony. After an engagement without impoilant results, at
Seekonk on the 25th of March, 1676, he the next day
pressed forward in pursuit of the enemy. At a short
distance from the town four or five Indians wei*e discovered
limping, as if wounded. Unsuspicious of treachery, the
companj' eagerly followed, and found themselves in ambush,.
and in the presence of overwhelming numbers. To escape
was imix)ssible; retreat was desperate. A furious attack
ensued ; a fresh band of assailants appeared, and the little
company, like the Spai-tans at Thermopylae fought against
overwhelming odds for alx)vo two hours, the men in double
ring, until hardly any were spared to tell the story of their
valor. The enemy paid dearly for their victoiy, nearlj' a
hundred of their wamors forfeiting their lives. Of
those who fell, five of them were from Sandwich : Benj.
Nye, Daniel Be.<se3% Caleb Blake, Job Gibbs, Stephen
"Wing; six fi'om Barnstable, Lieut. Fuller, John Lewis,
Eleazer Cobb, Linnell, Samuel Childs, Samuel-
Bowman ; Yarmouth five, John Matthews,* John Gage,
Wm. Gage, Henry Gage, Henry Gold; Eastham five,

Joseph Nessefield, John Walker, John M , John

Fittz, Jr., John Miller. An Indian named Amos, who was
one of the Barnstable quota, and who fought bravely to the
end of the battle, escaped by a stratagem illustrative of the

♦Letter of Rev. Noah Xewninu of Rehobotb, partinUy illeirible. The
report of the death of John Matthews wa.-* probably iii«orre«t. The
only person iu Yarmouth of that uame at that time over fourteea
jevLTi old, Uved to old age.

U4 CAPE COD.

tact and cunning of his race ; seeing that the hostile Indians
had blackened tlieir faces that they might know each other
from the friendly Indians with Capt. Pierce, he wet some
powder and disguised his own face, and thus eluded the
enemj'.

In June, both men and money for the renewed prosecution
of the war were called for : From Sandwich £16 and 13
men; Bamstable, the same; Yarmouth, £14 and 13 men;
Eastham, £10, 5s. and 10 men. But the war was now
visibly drawing to a close. The Indians wei*e at the end of
their resources ; having no leisure to plant, their bread was
getting scarce, and the vigilance of the English gave them
no opportunity to recruit their diminished stores.
Philip's confederates deserted him and left the field, and
betaking himself with a few followers to Mount Hope, he
was surrounded and shot down by an Indian bullet in an
effort to escape from his environment. The barbarous
exposure of his mutilated carcass to public observation, and
the execution of Indian chiefs who had suiTendered with an
implied pledge that their lives were to be spared, \nth the
selling of Philip's son into slavery, indicate the bitterness
of resentment which our fathers felt towards those who were
the authors of so many woes tliat had befallen their country-
men, but not a degree of barbarity beyond that of the times
in which they lived, that has been so often and so persistently
imputed to them. Only seventeen years before this, the
bodies of Oliver Cromwell, and his generals, Ireton and
Bradshaw, were disinterred, their remains hanged at
Tyburn, and their heads fastened to poles, exhibited on the
top of AVestminster Hall, fronting palace yard. The
practice of displajnng heads of traitors in this manner was
practiced in England for a century after the death of Philip.

Though removed from the direct contact with the war,

KING PHILIPS WAR. 115

yet in consequence of the absence of so many of their
vigorous young men, whose lives were in constant peril, the
Ca}jc suffered the pangs of continual anxiety, and the
privation and want which the absence of their protectors
and sup])orters naturally entailed upon their families. It
was a sad and fearful i)eriod. Every breeze from the west
boi*e npoh its wings the wail of suffering, and the glare of
burning villages, seen by night, lighted up the horizen.
How soon it might prove their turn to suffer in a like
manner, they could not tell. What if the natives by whom
they were surrounded, in this hour of distress and danger,
should prove treacherous, and seeing their feebleness should
take advantage of the absence of so many of their fighting
men, and fall upon them in their defenceless condition?
However pacific and friendly their demeanor might be, the
colonists could not entirely confide in their constancy, when
others had been so bitterly deceived and betrayed. These
thoughts must have occurred to them as they {pondered upon
the tidings which reached them from abroad, and filled their
minds with terror and apprehension. The vigilance of the
authorities was therefore never relaxed. Watch and ward
were maintained. Sandwich, especially, it has been shown,
kept guard of the region bordering upon the Pl^inouth
towns, to prevent intercourse between tlie Cape Indians
and those from abroad, who were eagerly seeking communi-
cation and co-operation with them. AMiile Mr. Thomas
Hinckley was away on pul)lic service a guard was placed
upon his dwelling to protect his family, which was believed
to be in peril. But their allies, fortunately proved faithful
and true. Partly owing to their natumlly mild and pacific
disposition, but largely in consequence of fair dealing by
the settlers and the good seed sown by John Eliot, Richai5i
Bourne, Thomas Tuppcr, Rev. Mr. Treat, Rev. Thomas

U6 CAPE COD.

Thornton and other true and devoted men, the native
inhabitants, not only refused to join with Philip and hia
allies, notwithstanding their supplications, but many of them
fought side by side with the English. This was what saved
the cause of the colonists from utter overthrow, and
preserved them from destruction. The best authorities
agi*ee that not less than 500 or GOO Indians, able to bear
arms, then lived on the Cape. It is not too much to say,
that had these proved unfriendly and hostile, tiie stniggle,
if not doubtful, would have been indefinitely prolonged.
As it was, the Cape was the only portion of the colony which
remained in peace and security during this terrible struggle,
and fugitives from other towns which had been devastated
by the enemy, were received here in large numbers and
welcomed with christian hospitality. Xot only were
individual sufferers received and entertained, but whole
communities were invited to share their lot with the Cape
people until the perilous times were over. The people of
Sandwich, in town meeting assembled, offered the fugitives
the use of planting lands not otherwise occupied, to those
who had been driven from their homes. When Rehoboth,
Taunton and Bridgewater were destroyed, the Cape towns,
acting through a meeting of leading citizens held in
Barnstable, sent a cordial invitation to their iHJople to come
with such goods as remained with them, for preservation
and safety. Answers were returned filled with expressions
of the deepest gratitude, but for prudential reasons they
determined not to leave tlieir homes, Imt to make another
effoi*t to rebuild and protect them.

The policy of the war, 1>oth in its inception and in the
manner in which it was prosecuted, was questioned by many
at the time and since its occurrence. There were those who
thought it might have been averted by a more conciliatory

KING PHILIPS WAR. U7

policy, and an effort to impress the Indians with a display
of friendly desires and intentions. Whether Philip and his
men coidd have been won by such a policy may well be
doubted, but the effort was worthy of trial. The peace
party allege that the council of war entered into the crusade
with a degree of eageniess unbecoming and impolitic. The
same persons also complain of the severity of treatment
pursued towards prisoners and non-combatants. A letter
from Gov. Winslow to Edmund Freeman and Thomas
Hinckley, and forwarded by Mr. Church, remarks: '^Mr.
Church tells me of an Indian woman brought in,'' '^who
seems to be sent with lies and flams to affright and corrupt
your Indians ; if so, I wish you would order him to put her
to death, but leave it to your discretion; but let her not
liave opportunity of returning to the enemy," etc. Mr.
TValley, the minister at Barnstable, was one of those who
criticised the policy of the government. In a letter,
addressed to Rev. Mr. Cotton of Plymouth, he expressed
the feeling which was rife in relation to sending away
squaws who were suspected to be conveying hostile
information, complaining of the "* severity" of the measure,
and saying that the " country is troubled and grieved at this
action, accounting it very unreasonable and that there la
much discontent about it." Mr. AVailey, in a subsequent
letter advocates the cmplo^nuent in the war, of Indians, to
which there was much objection, especially in official
quarters, and not without good reasons therefor, drawn
from the experience of other portions of the country. The
peace policy of Roger Williams and his associates in Rhode
Island, did not shield that colony from the hostile acts of
the Indians. Rhode Island sent no troops to the war,
but of its two towns on tlie mainland, Warwick was
destroyed, and a large portion of Providence, notwith-

118 CAPE COD.

standing that the insular settlements were carefully guarded.
The casualties of the war, which raged for more than a
year, so far as Massachusetts and Pljnnouth were concerned,
are thus summed up by Dr. Palf I'ey : In these two colonies
there '^were eighty or ninety towns. Of these, ten or
twelve were totally destroyed, and forty more or less
damaged by fire, making together nearly two-thirds of the
whole number. Five or six hundred men of military age^
one in ten or twelve of the whole, were stealthily murdered
or fell in battle, or becommg prisoners were lost sight of
forever, an unknown number of them being put to death
with horrible tortures.*' A considerable number of non-
combatants, old men, women and children, were ruthlessly
put to death.

The pecuniary results of the war were no less heavy to
the colonies; and at its close, it is estimated that over
£100,000 had been expended in the struggle, and that the
Plymouth colony had contracted a debt, which exceeded the
value of the entire personal estates of its people. They did
not give up in despair, but by a vigorous system of taxation
paid up the last dollar, principal and interest. Some
portion of the debt was cancelled by grants of lands, which
the exterminated savages had occupied, but this fonned no
considerable part of the expenditure.

The assessment of the last year of the war, in July, 1676,
in addition to other taxes already le\ned, the sum of
£3692, 16s., 2d., was ordered to be raised, of which the
proportions of the Cape towns were as follows :

Sandwich, £327 : 15 : 06

Barnstable, 351 : 03 : 09

Yarmouth, 266 : 01 : 00

Eastham, 236 : 05 : 00

It is a circumstance most suggestive of the relation

KIXG PHILIPS WAR. U9

subsisting Ijetwcen the colonies and the mother country,
that during this fearful life-and-dcath stniggle for existence,
no word of sympatliy and cheer, and no proffer of aid in
their distress came from the authorities in England, nor, as
far as appears, from anj' organizaticm there. That such aid
should 1>e spontaneously tendered, would have seemed most
natural. That such assistance was not asked for or
expected, indicates the condition of isolation and self-
dependence which the colonists seemed to have felt that they
were assumin'r, when thev forsook their Ensrlish homes, to
establish new ones in America. They appear neither
to have expected, nor to have desired, any assistance
from England, greatly as they needed it, and thus, while
showing their ability to take care of themselves, to be
thereby eaniing a title to immunity from interference and
control from the government, whose hand they had every
reason to apprehend would have been laid heavily upon
them, if put foii:h in any way.

But from another quaiter relief was gnitefully received.
Contributions to the amount of nearly a thousand pounds,
'* for such as were impoverished, distressed and in necessity
by tlie kite war," were sent ''by divers Christians in Ireland.**
The portion, which in the distribution accinied to the
Pl3rmouth coUmy, amounted to £124, 10s., and was
distributed according to the pecuniaiy disabilities sustained
by the people of the several towns. To arrive at a
knowledge of the proportions of these losses, together with
disbursements on account of the war made prior to July,
1676, the following table is presented:

Saudwieh hud iiaid £o:i7 : 15 : G aud recM of Irish doiiatious, £0 : 0:0
Yannuaih " 2uC : 1 : " ** " 10:0

Barnstable " Sol : 3 : 9 *' " ** 3: 0:0

Esk^tham " '^30: 5:0 " " " 10:0

Euthe Colouy " 3002:16:2 •* '* " 1:^:10:0

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1674-1676.

IglL The court ordered that "ManftmoTiok, Faom«t cud Bstuoket
be In the towu of Eiutbam," and that "all other piftce* of lilce ospaoity
■hall belong to particular townships, as the court shall we meet."
—The houfc of the totrn clerk and all the town record* of Yarmouth,
were destrofed b7 Are. — Thomas HuckinB of Barnstable laid
down three acres of laud at the meettng-'-house, for the town's
use as a burylug-ground. This Is tb« oeueteTy odjoiulug the old
Method Ut meetiug-house.

ICiS. Uljerty was granted to aaj families in Sandwich that may b*
necessitated to repolr to the town garrison for safety. It was also
ordered that those citizens entitled to vote, who do not attend town
meetings, be flned 2i., 6d. for each and erery dellnqueucy. Tha
Indians of the town were granted liberty to set up a house for meeting
on the Lord's days for the present summer, provided they will not
damage the nieadowa by lettlug their horses into the same. — Mr.
Thomas Tupptr, Snudwlch, d., aged 83 years. His wile d. soon aft«r,
aged 00 yeai-s.

1070. The court allowed to John Payaley of Yarmouth, a cripple in
the late war*, X3; Thomas Tobey of Saudwlcb. for bis serrtces,
a grant of land.— Iter. John Hayo died lu Ynrmoutb; he removed
there from Boston in 1D73. Ea^tbam appropriated £1bo, Sd. to build a
meeting-house, " near the burlnl place."

CHAPTER IX.

FROM PHILIP'S WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS.

Neglect ol Rplt^oui mid Educational Onuses— Denth of GoTemor
Whislow and eleclion of Thomai Hlncklej- at hli (uecesnor— Crea-
tion o( the Coiiiiiy of BarDslalile— StKirnuueftfctt, nfterwardt
Falmouth, iiicort>onitc-i1--Audro9'8 admiuUlrtit ion —King Wllliam'a
War — The Union with M a »eachui<etl» — Poverty of PlymonMi

'^ A '^■'5\'^ HE exigem^ies of the war having presum-
"^ ^j\ ""'''j' ^^"'^s*^ some degree of neglect of the

ordinances of religion and the canse of
, edncation, a law was in 1G77 enacted by
the court, reqairing suitable provision to
j be made in each town for the support of
public worship. This statute wss a
rerival of the spirit and intent of already
existing enactments, modified to suit the
exigencies of the times, and was the first legal provision for
the coercive collection of taxes for ministerial support.
Heretofore reliance had been made upon the voluntary
offerings of the people, prompted by their attachment and
consideration for the ministerial office. But this sentiment
had visibly weakened in public estimation, and men had begun
to attach greater imiKirtance to indi\4dual exjjcriencc, and
to imdcrvalue, in the estimation of the authorities, the
efficacy of church work and organization. This law waa
supplemented, the following year, by another enactment,
i-equiring that in each town a house of n'orship should be

122 CAPE COD.

erected and maintained, suited to the necessities of the
people, and in case of any neglect on their part to cony out
this provision, the govemment was to have it done at the
expense of the delinquent Unvn. Educational qualifications
seem also to have been neglected or discredited, and the
laws for the permanent establishment and support of grammar
schools were also re-enacted, provision being made for the
application of the funds arising from the Cape fisheries for
that purpose. These fisheries were farmed out for a term
of seven years, at £30 per annum.

•* Select Couils," which by the enactment of 1679, '^were
allowed in each town or jurisdiction," seem to have been
nothing more than an extension of the powers of the
existing boards of selectmen.

A committee to consider and adjust the claims gi*owing
out of the war, was this year raised, and among those Cape
citizens who were members were, AVm. Swift, ^Ir. John
J^Cller, Thomas Huckens, Mr. Daniel Smith, Capt. Sparrow.

Dec. 18, 1680, died Josias AVinslow, who for seven years
had held the office of governor of Plymouth colony. He
was the only governor of the colony who was born in New
England, his father, Edward AVinslow, being one of the
early governors of the colony. Like his father, he was a
man of ainlity and accomplishments, a brave soklier during
Philip's war. Thomas Hinckley of Barnstable, who was
deputy governor, succeeded him, and at the election in
March, 1681, was chosen governor, with James Cud worth
as deputy. The election of Mr. Hinckley did not result^
however, in a I'eversal of the policy of his predecessor in
relation to religious toleration, that principle having come
to be more generally recognized as the result of the contro-
versies with the Friends and other sects, who differed from

PHILIP'S WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS. 128

the stiinding order of the colony. The laws against
the Quakers were so far relaxed, that upon their
petition those of Sandwich were gi'anted libcii;y to act in
the disposal of land^, etc., "so long as the3'^ carry themselves
civilly and do not abuse their liberty." Local military
discipline was not permitted to relax in the outlying villages
of the Cape. The coui-t ordered that " JIannamoiett do
choose a fit man to exercise its men in aims," and that "the
men of Succanessett rej^air three times a year to Barnstable
to train."

The "government l>oing much enlarged," Plymouth
Colony, in 1685, was divided into three counties, called,
respectively, Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstal)le. The County
of Barnstable consisted of the towns of Barnstable, Eastham,^
Sandwich and Yarmouth, and the i)lantations of ^lonnaraoit,
Succonesset, and Sippecan. The latter comprised the
region subsequently incorporated under the name of Roches-
ter, embracing the present town of that name, and AVareham,
Marion and Mattapoisett. Each of the towns was
authorized to send three, and each plantation one, grand
jurymen, to the court to be held at the shire town, Barn-
stable. They were ordered to appear on the third Tuesday
of June, 1686, to take their oaths, and to receive their
charge. A session of the Court of Assistants for trials
was held on the first Tuesday of July in the same year.

There was the usual rivalry and competition for the-
location of the county buildings, the Gorhams desiring to
erect them near the Yarmouth line, where their lands were^
located, they building houses in that region for the
prospective accommodation of those resorting to the courts,
but the influence of Gov. Hinckley and his assistants,
BaiTiabas Lothrop and John AValley, prevailed, and the

XM CAPE COD.

<!oart house was built near the present centre of the town.^
Sippecan, which subsequently took the name Rochester,
remained a part of Barnstable county until 1708, when, upon
the petition of its inhabitants, it was annexed to Plymouth
county. The laws of the colony, which had been some
time under revision, were printed this year, and confirmatory
titles given, under the seal of the government, the several
purchases being particularly described.
. Before the county had been fully organized, in June,
1686, Succonessetf was incorporated as a town, the fifth in
the county. The settlement and development of the region
had been progressing for twenty-five yeai-s before its incor-
poration. In 1659, "liberty to view and purchase a tract at
Saconesset " was granted to Thomas Hinckley, Henry Cobb,
Samuel Hinckley, John Jenkins, Nathaniel Bsicon, of
Barnstable ; and Thomas Hinckley, and Kicliard Bounio of
Sandwich, were ''empowered to an-ange with the Indians
for the same." It seems probable that nothing came of this
Arrangement; but March 5, 1660-1, "liberty to purchase
lands at Saconesset and adjacent" was granted to John
Howland, Anthony Annable, Isaac Kobinson, Nathaniel
Thomas, Samuel Fuller, Abraham Pierce and Peter Blossom ;
and to these were subsequently added Saml Hinckley,
Matthew Fuller, John Cooper, Henry Cobb, John Dunham
And John Jenkins of Barnstable, and Samuel Fuller, Wm.
Nelson and Thomas Burman of Plymouth; and John
Phinney, Thomas Burman, J of Barnstable, and John

♦The site of the first court house was iieiir the spot now occupied
by the stttl)le of the oUl Crocker hotel, owuod by heirs of Mrs. Lydia
S. Scudder. Sc*e (^tis's Gen. Notes of Barnstable KaiuiUes. The second
court house wa'* the buildiu;^ now occupied by the Baptist society as a
house of worship, and was erected over a century ago.

fThis is the more usual spelliu;; of the word, but it was also variously
written Sachonesit, s^urcaiinosset, Sugones, etc.

tThis may l)e the same person as the one preceding, said to be of
Plymouth, or it may be a clerical error.

PHIUP-S WAR TO UXION WITH MASSACHUSETTS.

Dunham, Jr., are also named. The first proprietors' book
commenced in 1661, but the names of some of the grantees^
do not occur on its pages. Jonathan Hatch and Isaac
Robinson appear to have been the first bona fide settlers^
having built their houses near the southerly borders of
Fresh Pond. In 1664-5 Isaac Robinson was allowed to
keep an oi*dinary there ^in regard tliat it doth appear that
there is a great recource to and fro by travellers to ^lartha's
Vineyard, Nantucket," etc. In 1668, Wm. Gifford, Thomas
Lewis and John Jenkins became "" inhabitants of Succon-
essit.** The Quakei*s were here in considerable numbers at
the time of the incoqwration. Isaac Robinson, early of
this town, though not of this sect, believed in their sincerity,
and was suffering civil disabilities and social outlawry in
their behalf, and for his testimony in favor of religious
toleration. For many years, for municipal purposes and
for the observance of public worship the plantation was
associated with Barnstable, during which time the inhabitants
travelled fifteen miles to attend ser>ice on Sunday. 'Mx.
Samuel Shiverick was the first minister, being here prior to
1700, but at what exact date he first came to the place
cannot be ascertained. The name of Falmouth, instead of
Succanesset, came into use about the year 1694,* although
there is no foimal act extant authorizing a designation. It
may have been derived from Falmouth in England, a
parliamentary borough in Cornwall, whence Bartholomew
Gosnold sailed on the voyage to this vicinity, attempting a
settlement on one of the Elizabeth Islands, near by the
main land in this town.

The relations of the people of Plymouth and Massachusetts
colonies to the home government had long been the cause

*The Province tax of Sept. U, 1C94, has this item: ** Falmouth £22,
Ss., Od."

128 CAPE COD.

of anxiety and deep solicitude on their part. At the
threshold of the administi*ation of Gov. Hinckley a crisis
was seen to 1)e [lending. Edmund Randolph, who had been
embittered by a controversy with the ^lassachusetts colony,
after several years of exertion had succeeded in procuring
of the home government the process of quo wai^rantOj the
charter had been vacated, and the Presidency of Joseph
Dudley, followed by the Governorship of Sir Edmund
Andros, had resulted therefrom. The relations of Pl3rmouth
Colony to the royal authority had been of a pacific nature,
and great hopes had been entertained of the granting of a
royal charter to the colony. But as the arbitrary character
of the Stuaits, especially of James 11, had disclosed itself,
and his dealings with Massachusetts were developed, the
hopes and expectations of the colonists gave way to gloom
and apprehension. The fears of the people were, unhappily,
realized when, in 1G86, Sir Edmund Andros arrived with a
commission appointing him governor of all New England.
Gov. Hinckley was of coui*se supplanted, and though
nominated as one of Andros's councillors, the colony was
merged with the Massachusetts colony, and divested of its
distinctive character.

The new order of things gave great offence, not only in
Massachusetts, but throughout New England. Exorbitant
taxes were levied, and under the pretence that all the land
titles of the country were invalid, large fees were attempted
to be extorted for new ones. Even when, in addition to the
grants given them by the government, the Indian titles had
been purchased, Andros was said to have declared that such
deeds were '"no better than the scratch of a bears paw.^
Gov. Hinckley, in a petition to the King, in relation to
Plymouth Colony, asserted that all the money left in the
colony " would scarcely suffice to pay one-half the charges

PHILIPS WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS. 127

for waiTants, sun'eying and patents, if every one must be
foi*ced thereto/' The whole tendency of the administration
was in the direction of oppression. This state of things
continued for two years and four months. In April, 1689,
a nimor reached Boston of the landing of the Prince of
Orange in England ; the smothered tires of resentment
blazed out, and without waiting to learn the result of the
rising in the mother country, Andros was aiTcsted, impris-
oned and confined in the castle. Gov. Bi-adstreet was called
again to power 1)y acclamation ; and Plymouth, following the
example of ilassachusetts, again called on Gov. Hinckley
and his associates to assume the offices which tliey before
held, until their places could l)e filled by a regular election.
Hinckley and Bradford were subsequently elected governor
and deput}' governor, and the people were again in the
enjoyment of their accustomed institutions of government.

During the administration of Andros, Courts of Common
Pleas eo nomine had been established in this and other
counties. Associate Courts w^ere now re-established, and
Jonathan SpaiTow of Eastham and Stephen Skiff of Sandwich
were appointed justices; and they were re-appointed in
1690 and 1691.

The war known as King William's war having c^ommenced,
and many injuries having been committed by the Indians in
the Eastern country, the couit met in August, 1689, to take
the matter into consideration, and gave instructions to their
commissioners in relation to the prosecution of the
hostilities. Major Benj. Church was placed in command
with the commission of major, by both Gov. Hinckley and
Gov. Danforth of Massachusetts. Col. "Wm. Bassett of
Sandwich, and Nathaniel Hall, son of John, of Dennis,
served as captains in this expedition. The expenses of the
cami)aign for Plymouth Colony were £742 ; for Barnstable

CAPE COD.

£60, Sandwich £60, Yarmouth £41, Eastham £46, Monoiiioy
£7. Eastham having neglected to make a rate, ** occasioned
by misrepresentation or insinuations of ill men, ditfaffected
towards the goveniment," a fine of £50 was imposed, **to
be collected in case the neglect is persisted in." This war
was waged with advantage on the side of the English, but
the force sent was inadequate to the wants of the campaign.
In the ensuing year. Church was imi>ortmied by Gov.
Hinckley to take conmiand of the Plymouth forces on
another expedition against the enemy, the Indians being
aided and al)etted by the French. He came to Barnstable,
where he met the Governor and several mcmbei's of the
Council of War, who promised them their support. In
June, two companies were mised, John Gorham being
captain of one, and Jabez Snow of Eastham, lieutenant of
the other. Tliere was considerable delay in getting the
troops away to the seat of hostilities. Governor Hinckley
not being ready with the transports as had been promised,
and not being on hand, had to be summoned by express
from Barnstable. Vessels wei-e finally fitted up, and the
troops embarked. The Cape furnished for this expedition
the following num1)ers of men : Sandwich, Yunuouth and
Eastham, 10 each ; Barnstable, 12 ; Sucanessctt and Mono-
moy, 2 each. It was also ordered that there 1>e raised 50
Indians : 22 in Barnstable county, 22 in Bristol, and 6 in
Plymouth; Barnstable county was also to provide 15 of the
60, "arms and other necessaries" for the troops. The debt
incuiTcd by PlJ^nouth Colony this year amounted to £1350,
of which the following sums fell upon the Cape :
Barnstable, £112, 10s., Od. Eastham, £93, 19s., 6d.
Yarmouth, 104 2 9 Monnamoit, 18 18 9
Sandwich, 93 15 Sucanessett, 15 3 9
The campaign was not answerable in point of success to

PHIIJF8 WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTa 129

the expectations of the government or people, and Major
Church felt that he was treated with injustice and neglect by
the authorities in Boston ; which did not, however, prevent
his taking service under tlie government the ensuing year.

Gov. Hinckley was re-elected in 1691, but the increasing
difficulties of the times must have rendered his position
one of continual anxiety and discomfort. The Indian and
French wars were a constant drain on the young men of the
colony and the resources of the people. The political future
of the colony was a great cause of solicitude and alarm, as
one report followed another, as to the designs of the
government of William and Marj'. The magistrates of
Massachusetts Bay sent its agents to England to endeavor
to procure a renewal of the charter, made void by Charles
n., and from PljTiiouth Colony went Rev. Ichabod Wis wall
of Duxbury, to assist in the work, and also to try to obtain
one for Plymouth, and to protect the interests of the colony
in any way in which he could be serviceable. There was at
one time an effort to unite her government with Kew York,
which was averted by the representations of these agents.
But the effort to obtain for her a separate charter was
unsuccessful, and the two provinces were by the royal
authority united, under the style of "The Massachusetts
Bay in New England," a union which has since been found
a source of benefit and happiness to the people of both
colonies. The concluding language of the charter was:
"To have and to hold the said territories, tracts, counties,
land, hereditiments, and all and other singular the premises,
with their and every their appurtenances, to our said
subjects, the inhabitants of the said Province of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England, and their successors, to
their only proper use and behoof foreverniore, to be holden
of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of E^t

180 CAPE COD.

Greenwich, iu the County of Kent, by fealty only in free
and common soccage," — a tenure the importance of which
the students of the laws will properly appreciate.

There was reason to think that Gov. Hinckley was not
dissatisfied with the change. His opinions and the temper
of hb mind were much more in sympathy with the governing
classes of the Massachusetts Colony, than those of Plymouth,
and the measure of his ambition as a leading Councillor of
a large and powerful province, was perhaps better filled
than iu the fii*st place in the feeble colony of Plymouth. He
doubtless felt that the arrangement would be advantageous
to both colonies, as it has since proved.

At the time of the union, Plymouth Colony consisted of
twenty towns, six of which were in the County of Barnsta-
ble, (counting Monnamoit, which had been {)ermitted to
send a deputy, in 1691,) and the colony contained a
popuhition of about 13,000 of English descent. From
various data it is safe to say that the white population of
Barnstable County was about 4000. Tlie colony waa deeply
in debt, contmcted in the long and bloody wars with the
Indians, owing some £27,000, while the entire taxable
property of the inhabitants was rated at only £35,900. * This
debt, however, was owed to their own citizens. So great
was their poverty that they were unable to raise the sum of
£300 to send to Mr. Wiswall to obtain a charter, and Gov.

*The ratable estates of the towns of the eolouy were:

Plymouth,

£*JG60

Rochester,

£367

Scltuate,

43M)

Mouomoy,

505

Mar^hflold,

1804

Sucauessett,

405

Duxburjr,

1500

Bristol,

1048

Bridgewater,

1430

Taunton,

26S9

Midrtleboro,

5S2

Rehoboth,

2117

Barudtable,

3000

Dartmouth,

2200

Yarmouth,

2777

Swnnsey,

1500

Sandwich,

2500

Little Couipton,

2000

Eatithum,

250G

Freetown,

340

PHILIPS WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS. ISl

Hinckley proposed that it should be prayed for sub forma
pauperis.*

The last General Court met at Pl^-mouth on the first
Tuesda3' of July, 1691, and after transacting some trifling
routine business, and appointing the last Wednesday in
August for a solemn fast, adjourned to meet no more.
Thus ended the )X>litical existence of the Pl^-mouth Colony,
after sur\'iving a little less than seventy-one years from its
organization.

CmiONOLQGY OF EVENTS, 1677-1692.

1677. Joseph Burpe of Sandwich, who ** resisted aud abused the
iratch" during Philip's War, for which he was several times flued,
was this year amerced to the amouut of £5 for selliug 'liquor to
the Indiaus. As a seciuel he was fined 10 shillings for ** swearing in
court."— The aged widow Annable of Barnstable was fined £1 for
s«^lling beer witliout a license.

1678. George Barlow of Sandwich, the late marshal, was before the
court and l>ound over, on the charge of being a ** turbulent feUow.**—
Bev. Thomas Walley of Barnstable died.

1680. JohTi Yaiiuo, Indian, son and heir of Yanna, sachem of South
iSea, in Barnstable, deceased, sold to George Lewis for £2, 16 shillings,
a small tract ** lying in the common field at Mattachiest"; also in
consideration of -CI, 8 shillings, paid in trucking cloth and otherwise
by Thomas Hinckley, *' granted and sold him lands in South Sea, in
Barnstable, which Mr. H. subsequently conveyed to the town.

1G81. Anew meeting-house was erected in Barnstable; cost of the
edifice ^00, lot Xl, 10 shillings.— Indian James indicted and tried for
causing the death of Samuel Crocker, Barnstable, by a kick in the
abdomen. He was acquitted of murderous intent.

1C82. Mr. Edmund Freeman, one of the original grantees of Sand-
wich, died.

1683. Kenecompsit, an Indian, relinquished for £5, 19 shillings, hit
right to seven acres of land in common field, Barnstable, to John
Lewis and James Edwards.— Sandwich offered a bounty of 158. for
killing old wolves, and 5s. for **pups.**

^Baylies* Hist. Memoir.

IS CAFE COD.

1881. A roftd from Barnstable to Plfmoutli tbrQugh Sandwluh wKs
laid out b7 a Jury empanelled by the govvrnor.

leSi. An extension of tbe Sandwiuh road, through Banutable, waa
laid out by a jury ordered by the court. The old foot bridges, which
sunic^d for the settlers, tn^Te wny to Itmier stniotures, suited for
teams.— Eastb am "voted to t>ay lUs. for the head of any old wolf, wad
fis. for wolves' whelps, to aiiy Indian who shall brlnf; them."

1680. Lt. Jobu Howland of Barnstable licensed "to sell [jider of his
own male In);."

ISST. A windmill tor grinding grain, was ei«cted In Barnstable, by
Thomas Paine of Eastham. .£82 and Sre acres of upland and live
acres of marsh were appropriated tor the purpose, by the town,
"Elgbtorten acres of uplaud at the river by John Qoodsp«ed's and
the use of the strtam" were grauted to John Aiidrewu, "to build aud
keep a lulllug-mlll ou said stream, to full and draw the town's oloth
on reasonable terms."

1888. The padtoral relation of Rev. John Smith to the Sandwich
church, terminated at hts own request.

1691. Rev. Roland Cotton commenced his pastoral relation to
Sandwich church.— Icbabod Paddock of Yarmouth eugaged to go to
Nautucket, "to instruct the people In the art of kllliug whales" by
tbe employment of boats from the shore.

THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS.

Cape tDMi In th« ProTindal jioveniment— Hanrich tocorporatrd— E«l
Kivn Brldf»— Cape Cod C'annl nret propowd— MlulAterial i-hangM
— Diviiiiuii of BnruBta1)le oommoii lauda — Whalelioat fleet In Que«n
Annt-'ii wnr— Denth of Cov. Hinckley— Tniro ami t'luti bam 1>econi«
t«wuB of tb« praTtiii'« — Dlrivion of Yarmouth oomnion landa —
"Pi-eciuct of Cape Cod'' — Wreck of Pirate ship Whidiib andlftimen
droimti] — Chaiint;! through the Cape — Cape soldiori at the capture
of Lnuli<1nir;r— Acnitlnns at Montiraent River— I«4u« of Bills of
Credit — ProTincetown incorporated— DlvUlon ol the County pro-
posed- "TheUreot Awakening "—Emigraiiou to Maine— Well lleet
lucMirjKimted- Peace weleonied.

■ Y the terms of the charter of the new
Province of Massachusetts Bay, the portion
which comprised Plymouth colony waa
j! I entitled to four councillors. Those who
^ ^i were first selected were Thomas Hinckley,
-i^^^ -p* late goTcmor ; Wm. Bradford, late deputy
governor ; John "Walley, and Bamahas
Lothrop. Gov. Hinckley had Iwen charged
with being secretly favorable to the union i\'ith ^lassuchnsetts,
and these appointments confirmed the suspicions of thoee
who were unfriendly to him, and indeed gave some cdlor to
their belief. Of the four councillors, Mr. Hinckley and
Mr. Lothrop were residents of Barnstable, and Mr. Walley
was bom and reared there, though at the time of his election
he was a resident of Bristol. The first provincial legislature
was represented from the Cape by its citizens of ability
from the various towns, viz ; John Gorham, John
Otis, Barnstable; John Thacher, Jeremiah Howes, Yar*

134 CAPE COD.

mouth; Thomas Tupper, Shearjashab Bourne, Sandwich^
Jonathan Snow, Jonathan Bangs, Eastham ; Moses Rowley^
Falmouth.

Sir William Phipps arrived in Boston, May 14, 1692,
with his commission from William and Mary as govemor-in-
chief, bringing with him the new charter; and the first
general court elected thereunder assembled in Boston, June
8, of that year. The new governor was a native of New
England ; his selection was largely due to the influence of
Increase Mather, who was then in England ; and while the
clerical party in the province was shorn of much of its
power, the appointment was quite acceptable to the people,
although not reflecting much credit upon its incumbent, as
an administrator, by reason of an unf ortimate infirmity of
temper, which led him into difficulties, resulting in his
recall for explanations to England, where he died in 1695.
He was succeeded by Lieut.-Govemor Stoughton.

Sept. 14, 1694, HARWicn was admitted as a township.
The name is derived from a market, seaport and parliamen-
tary borough in Essex county, England. It was said that
one of her citizens, Mr. Patrick Butler, walked the whole
distance to Boston, to obtain the act of incorporation. The
earlier occupation of its territory was chiefly in the northern
portion of the town. Ecclesiastically speaking, the territory
immediately below Yannouth was considered for a long
period prior to this time as belonging to Eastham.

The prosecution of the war with the French and the
eastern Indians, in which the colonies were involved before
their union, and which early engaged the attention of Gov.
Phipps, was continued under the auspices of Lieut.-Gov.
Stoughton. Capt. John Gorham of Barnstable, was in 1696,
second in command, under Col. Benjamin Church, in the
expedition to Winter Harbor, which was not, however.

THE CAPE IX THE OLD FRENCH WARS. 1»

attended by any important results. Great alarm prevailed
in New England at the time, in view of a contemplated
invasion by a formidable French fleet, and extensive
preparation was made to repel it. Frequent disasters to
Cape men are recorded in the writings of the times. Col.

•

Thomas Dimmock of Barnstable, was killed in a battle at
Canso, Sept. 9, 1697. He refused to conceal himself in a
thicket, or shelter himself behind a tree as others under his
command did, but stood out in the open field, a conspicuous
mark for the enemy.* The peace of Ryswick, concluded
in 1697, put an end for the present to King William's War.

The Court of Quarterly Sessions having issued a pi-ecept
to the towns of the county of Barnstable, to assess their
inhabitants towards defraying the expense of re-building the
bridge over Eel River, near Plymouth, great dissatisfaction
was expressed by the inhabitants, who regarded the demand
as unjust and unlawful, the bridge being twelve miles
beyond the county limits. The town of Eastham refused
compliance — instructing the selectmen to disregard the
precept, and promising to indemnify them for any damage
that might accrue for their failure to comply with the order
of the court. These remonstrances were without avail, and
the Cape towns were again compelled to submit to the
payment for this work.

The project which has intermittingly been agitated until
the present time, for the union of the waters of Buzzards
and Barnstable bays by means of a ship canal, was initiated
as early as 1698. A committee was that year appointed by
the general couii: "to view a place for a passage to be cut
through the land in Sandwich, from Barnstable bay into
Manomet bay, for vessels to pass through and from the

•Oti.«'.^ Barnstable Fiimlliej?. This piece of history is a weU authen-
tieau'd fnmily tradition, thouirli no aoeouut in given ot the trauAaction
iu any puMir lied history, as far as observed.

186 CAPB COD.

western pails of the country, it being thought by many
persons to be very necessary for the preservation of men
and estates y and that it will be very profitable and useful to
the public." The committee consisted of Messrs. John
Otisy Wm. Bassett and Thomas Smith, who were instructed
to report at the* next general court. Although this was the
first official recognition of the project, it had for many years
previous been a subject of discussion by our ancestors. It
was doubtless suggested to them by their experience on
Manomet river, in their intercourse with the Dutch and
English settlers to the westward of them, in Rhode Island,
Connecticut and New York. Samuel, afterwards Judge,
Sewell, wrote in his diary about 1G70, '^Mr. Smith (of
Sandwich) rode with me, and showed me the place which
some here thought to cut for to make a passage from the
South Sea to the North. He said it was about a mile and a
half between the utmost flowing of the two seas in Herring
River and Scusset, the land being very low and level.
Herring River was very pleasant by reason that it was pretty
broad, shallow, of an equal depth, and of white sand."

The first church in Harwich (being the locality in the
town now known as Brewster) was gathered Oct. 16, 1700,
and Rev. Nathaniel Stone settled as pastor ; and his relation
to that organization subsisted for the period of fiftj^-five
years. This is a convenient period to review the nearly
contemporary changes in the ministry of the county, which
were so intimatelv interwoven with the secular concerns of
the people. The Rev. John Smith, pastor of the Sandwich
church, had terminated his connection therewith in 1678,
and he had been succeeded by Rev. Rowland Cotton. Mr.
Walley, the minister of Bamstal)lc, who died in 1678, was
succeeded, in 1683, by Rev. Jonathan Russell, the elder of
the name. Rev. Samuel Treat, who was settled in Eastham,

THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. W

in 1672, was destined to still longer continue in that relation.
The Rev. Thomas Thornton, who was settled over the
Yarmouth church, about 1663, with whom Rev. John Cotton
was settled as colleague, died in Boston in 1700, in his
ninety-first year. He was a man of eminent scholarship
and ability. Mr. Thornton's removal, in 1693, left 3^Ir.
Cotton in sole charge of the church. ^Ir. Samuel Shiverick,
about 1700, began a troubled relation with the Falmouth
church, which continued, however, only a few months
longer.

The division of the common lands in Barnstable was
agitated in 161)3, when the proprietors voted ''to divide the
whole of the commons and meadows to such as have a
right." The names of 164 persons whom it was claimed were
rightful proprietors, they being freemen and voters, were
presented. Some 56 citizens remonstrated against the
proceeding, and it was agreed to refer all matters in dispute
to arbitration. Major Mayhew of Martha's Vineyard was
selected on the part of the remonstmnts, and Mr. Samuel
Sprague, of Duxbury, on the part of the town. An
adjustment of the diflSculty was arrived at in 1696. The
Great Marshes was di^aded, lots for choice being drawn;
each lot was duly bounded and recorded. The marshes at
South Sea and Oyster Island were, in like manner, divided
among residents of that part of the town. Renewed
troubles over this question sprang up in 1701. A town
meeting, over which Rev. Mr. Russell was moderator, was
held, and a variety of questions growing out of the matter
of divisions of the commons were discussed. A committee
was chosen ** to draw up proposals for settling the propriety
of the common lands, and to ascertain who are the propri-
etors, and what the share of each shall be, and the method
to be adopted for dividing the lands from time to time in

IM CAPE COD.

the future." ]Maj. Gorham was chairman of a committee of
fifteen for this purpose. The subject was still unsettled in
1702, when it was voted that three disinterested persons be
chosen to determine who were the rightful proprietors, viz. :
Capt. Jonathan Morey of Plymouth, Mr. Samuel Knowles
of Eastham, and Mr. Joseph Deane of Taunton. A
committee was appointed to " take account in the meanwhile
of the townsmen and of their several claims, by their
individual qualifications; this too according to the rule
adopted in 1640." Eighty acres were reserved, the profits
of which were to be applied to support of schools, and the
same amount to the support of the ministry. The grand
division was finally made in 1703, ''of the upland commons
and salt marsh that had not been before divided." The
whole of these was computed in shares, comprehending in
the aggregate 6000 acres, divided to each according to his
right, the number of shares to each annexed to his name on
the schedule, leaving to any aggrieved the liberty of the
common law for redress.

The conflict known as Queen Anne's war, whiuh com-
menced in 1703, involved the people of this county actively
in its operations, as had all the English and French wars
hitherto. The savage and ferocious cruelties exercised by
the French and Indians in many instances, and especially
the destruction of Deerfield in 1703, impelled that celebrated
Indian fighter, Col. Benjamin Church, to again offer Gov.
Dudley his sei-vices, which were gladly accepted. He was
authorized to recruit 1000 or 1200 troops, which he
immediately proceeded to do, going into every town in
Bristol, Plj'mouth and Barnstable counties, receiving the
enlistment of 15 or 20 from each militarj" company in those
counties, beside a considerable number of Indians. Lieut.
Colonel John Gorham and Capt. Caleb Williamson of

THE CAPE IK THE OLD FRENCH VTARS. 1»

Barnstable, were connected with the expedition , tlie former
in charge of the whale-boat fleet. This was a novel and
original feature of the expedition. The method of fighting
adopted by the enemy was to keep so far up the rivers that
the ordinary fleet could not reach them. Church's plan
contemplated the fitting up of forty-five or fifty good boatSi
such as are employed in whaling, each supplied with five oar8»
and twelve or fifteen paddles to each boat. Upon the wale
of these, five pieces of strong leather were fastened on
the sides, so tliat when the boat touched the bottom the men
might step overboard, and slip the bars through and take it
up. Two kettles were furnished each boat for cooking food.
The crafts were hauled up at night, and in stoimy weather
were upset, serving for shelter in the place of tents. In
this way four or five hundred men could be transported to the
scene of ojiorations, with their arms, ammunition and
provisions for several da^'s' consumption. This expedition
was only partiall}"^ successful.

From this period, until the peace of Utrecht, which was
concluded in the year 1713, the Cape towns, in common
with the people of the whole of New England, were sub-
jected to continual expense, preparation and alarm. It is
estimated that for some 3'ears not less than a fifth of the
inhabitants al)le to l^ear arms were in actual service. To say
nothing of the sacrifice of health and life in these expeditions^
the detriment to the industrial pursuits of the people was
very gi'eat, constituting a continual drain upon the resources
of all classes. These wars were filled with stimng and
startling episodes. "For years after, the old sailors, seated
in their round-about chairs, within their capacious chimney
comers, would relate to the young the story of their
adventures in the 'Old French Wars.'"*

*Oti3*3 Barustable Families.

no CAPS COD.

The death of Ex-Governor Thomas Hiuckley^ which
occurred at his home in Barnstable, April 25, 1706, closed
a career of great usefulness and eminence in this community.
He was bom in England, in 1G21 ; came to Boston in 1634 ;
was in Scituate in 1639. He was elected a deputy from
Barnstable in 1645, and from that time until his death was
almost continuously in public life, being many times
re-elected as deputy; twenty-three years as assistant;
governor from 1680 to 1692, except during the interruption
of Andros, when he was nominally one of his council ; and
of the council of the province of IMassachusetts Bay, from
1692 until his death. He was also for several years one of
the commissioners of the United Colonies. His tastes and
abilities fitted him for administrative trusts, and his probity
was never impeached. Although of a somewhat imperious
temper, he seems to have accommodated himself rather
closely to the popular side of public questions, and to have
followed, rather than directed, public sentiment. When
repressive measures were tried against the Quakers, ^Ir.
Hinckley was vigorous in the use of means to that end, hut
yielded, somewhat tardily, to the rising tide of liberal ideas.
He was on familiar terms '^'ith the Anabaptists, who xfere
numerous in Barnstable. It was claimed for Mr. Hinckley,
that he was the best lawyer in the colonj*. This might well
be, as of professional lawyers none were there at that time ;
and certainly no man in the jurisdiction had acquired so
wide an experience, both in framing statutes and executing
them, as ^Ir. Hinckley. His first marriage was to Mary,
daughter of Thomas Eichards, who died in 1659, and the
following year he was united to Mary, widow of Nathaniel
Glover of Dorchester, a woman ^of uncommon excellence
and gi-eat accomplishments." Among her descendants was
Prince, the historian, who spoke of her in these terms:

THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARa 141

**To the day of her death she shone in the cj'es of all as the
loveliest, and brightest for beauty, knowledge, wisdom,
majesty, accomplishments, graces, throughout the colony."
Her husband, who survived her for nearly three years»
wrote some verses to her memory, which have been
preserved, and which were more creditable to the affectionate
phase of his character than to his poetic faculty. Gov.
Hinckley has many descendants.

The year 1709 added another to the towns of the county.
July 16, of that year, on the petition of Capt. Thomas
Paine of Pamet, the region was incoq)()rated which has
since been known by the name of Tkuro, making the
seventh township on the Cape ; and Aug. 1, pursuant to the
terms of the act, the town was organized, with the provision
**that they procure and settle a learned and godl}' minister.**
Rev. John Avery was settled here Nov. 1, 1711. This
region, it is evident, had been settled by a number of
&milies, long before this time, and in connection with the
fisheries of Cape Cod, occupied before the settlement of
Eastham or any other places on the Cape.* In 1674, the
Court ordered that Paomet (Truro) and Satucket (Harwidi)
be included in the town of Eastham. Certain proprietors
from Eastham also settled here in 1700. The records of the
general court for the year 1705 contain this order: **The
part of the Cape Ijing between Eastham, and known as the
Indian Pamet, shall be a separate town by the name of
Dangerfield." This is all that is known, however, of this
desi<mation. No such town was ever recoirnized, and no
intimation of its existence is contained in any local records
or traditions of its people. It was doubtless intended to
make this a district, but the name did not come into use.
It is somewhat singular that the act of the general court

•Rich'8 Truro.

142 CAPE COD.

incorporating the town of Truro makes no reference to any
previous act recognizing the former name, but says, ''An
act for making Pawmct, a District of Eastham, within Hie
Count}" of Bamsta!)lc, a township, to ])e called Truroe.**
The name is derived from that of an old borough and
present city, in Cornwall, England.

A similar mj^ster}** exists in regard to Wellfleet. An
order which passed Nov, 1, 1718, on petition of Thomas,
Peter and Josias Oakes, agents for that part of Eastham
called Billingsgate, by the name of ''Pool,'' defines its
boundaries, and the rights of whaling and oyster fishing.
But the name was never recognized.

Two j'ears after the incorporation of Truro, an effort was
made by the people of Monnamoit to secure its incorporation
as a township, and a notice was served in due form on the
town of Harwich. The settlement, occupation and proprie-
torship of this town had been from the beginning, as has
already been shown, a subject of much acrimonious and heated
controversy. After being attached, first to Yarmouth, and
afterwards to Eastham, in 1688, the place was made "a
constablerick 1)y itself," and enjoined to raise £5 per annum
for "the enabling them to build a meeting-house for a
minister.'* In 1686, it was ordered by the court to choose a
grand juror, and in 1691, it was granted liberty to send a
representative to the general court, and its western bounda-
ries were considerably enlarged. With these privileges and
requirements, it would seem that the region was entitled to
all the prerogatives of a township, and a formal act of
incorporation was passed in 1712, since which time the town
has been known as Chatham. This name, also, is fi*om an
English town, in the County of Kent.

The common lands of the town of Yarmouth, remaining
undisposed of, were divided among the descendants of the

THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. 14S

original pwprietors during the year 1712-13-14. The
principle aixm which this division was made was laid down
in a town meeting held in April, 1712, viz.: ''One-third
to )>e afi(si2:ned to tenements, of such as were inhabitants of
the town, not to exceed two tenements to each person;
one-tliird according to the value of the real estate of each
person as mted in 1709; one-tliird to all male persons
twenty-one years of age and over, bom in the town and
now inhabitants, or those who have Ijecn inhabitants 21
years, and have possessed a tenement 21 years." Nine shares
were assigned to each tenement right, 7^ shares to each
personal right, and all the residue, was on account of the
pro|K)rtionate ownership in the taxable real estate in town.
Two-thirds of the town was thus divided into 3118 shares,
and apportioned among the inhabitants. A final division of
the other third of common lands remaininji unreserved was
made in 1715. The town reserved a considerable tract on
the borders of Bass river — a large portion of the present
village of South Yarmouth — for the native Indians, and
also ministerial lands, training fields, and a lot for the
convenience of those watching for whales, on the northerly
side of the town.

In 1713, the treaty of i^eace negotiated at Utrecht put an
end to the French and Indian war, which, with the short
interception after the peace of Ryswick, had been waged
for twenty-five years, and which had been a constant drain
U]M)n the resources of the colonists and an interruption of
their peaceful pursuits. The people of this county had
largely engaged in these warlike enteqirises, pailicularly
those of a maritime nature, and the dawn of peace was a
welcome release to them. Nor were our people so far
removed from the seat of hostilities as to be entirely free
from apprehensions on their own behalf. The rumors of

lU CAPE COD.

invasions and of the incursions of a French fleet were
frequently renewed to the dwellers in the seaboard towns.
The following ''Protection/* of which a copy is extant^
brings the distress of the times vividly before the present
generation :

Trotectiox. — Boston, Jan. 26, 1711-12. Upon appli-
cation made to me, setting forth the danger that the village
of Monomoy is in, of the French privateers, and the
weakness of the inhabitants to defend themselves, being so
few, I do hereby decree, order and direct that no men of
the foot-company of the place be taken by impress for any
•service other than their own village aforesaid, without my
especial orders, and under my hand, for so doing. This to
continue until further order. Signed, J. Dudley.

•'To the Hon. Col. Otis, Barnstable."

Henceforth, for thirty years, these fears and alarms were
to be dismissed, and peace again to resume its sway.

In the beginning of 1714, the extreme end of the Cape,
which had heretofore been regarded as a portion of Truro,
was constituted the "Precinct of Cape Cod," and put under
the constablerick of Tiiiro. No legislative act with express
reference to this region had been passed, prior to this time.
The harbor, from its size, accessibility and security, had
been from the earliest times resorted to by marine traders
and fishermen, but only a few settlers had as yet made their
homes there. Now, its great value and the dangers to
which it was exposed were recognized ; and by an act of the
general court, it was "forbidden to box or bark pine treea
growing on the precinct's land;" a tax was levied on
sojourners not inhabitants, such as fishermen, of fourpence
a man per week, to be applied to the maintenance of "a
learned and orthodox minister ;" the balance of his salarj' of
£50 per annum, to be assessed upon the inhabitants of the

THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARa 145

precinct, by the selectmen of Truro. At the same time the
line between tlie Province lands and Truro was defined.

The advent of j^ace with the Fi^ench and the Indians
gave the authorities a long-wished-for opiwitunity to make
an effort to suppress the pirates, whose depredations upon
commerce had become so frequent and harassing. During
the administration of tlie Earl of Bellamont as Governor of
New York and ^lassachusetts, the attention of the author*
ities had been especially directed to this matter. The Earl
came over "particularly instructed to put a stop to the
growth of pii'acy, the seas being constantly endangered by
freebooters." During his administration the notorious Capt.
Kidd was apprehended, tried and convicted. The old ballad
ran:

"My name was Robert Kidd, as I mailed."

But history records that William Kidd was executed.
While commanding a vessel commissioned to cruise as a
privateer, he turned pirate himself, and became the terror
of the sea. After burning his vessel and venturing to make
his appearance in Boston, thinking his character and acts-
unknown, he was apprehended, sent to England, tried and
executed. The popular imagination, from that time to the
present, has been periodically inflamed by legends of
treasilres hid in the sands on the seashore of Xew York and
New England; but with the exception of one *'find," of
which the schedule was rendered to Gov. Bellamont in 1699,
no record of success in this direction is extant. This lack
of fortune does not, however, seem to dampen the ardor of
treasure-seekers, and ever}" year or two witnesses a renewal
of futile attempts to penetrate the sands of the seacoast for
hidden pirate-booty.

The execution of Kidd by no means daunted or
discouraged the efforts of the large class of maritime

146 CAPE COD.

adventurers who sought to make reprisals upon commerce,
no matter under what iSag it sailed. Peace with France
released them from the restraints of authoi*ized warfare, and
some of them turned their attenti(m to the ships sailing
under their own flag. The depredations and fate of one of
these fleets was tragically connected with these shores. The
WJiidahj a pirate ship of about 200 tons, carrying twenty-
three guns and one hundred and thii*ty men, conunanded by
Samuel Bellamy, some time in April, 1717, while cruising
off this coabt took seven prizes. The captain was obliged
to transfer men from his ship to the prizes in order to send
them into port. The captain of one of these vessels,
observing that the pirate crew were drunk, I'egained
possession of his craft and anchored in Provincetown harbor,
where several of the pirates were apprehended, and
afterwards tried and executed in Boston, the others managing
to escape. The captain of the Whidah, having captured a
snow on the coast, and a storm endently approaching,
offered the captain of the prize the release of his vessel, if
he would pilot the ship into Provincetown harbor. The
niorht bein*? dark a lantern was hun'r in the shrouds of the
snow. But distini^ting the good faith of the pirate, the
captain managed, by the light draft of his vessel, which
enabled him to pass over the shoals with safety, to inveigle
the pirate ship onto the outer bar, while the snow struck
much nearer the shore.* A tradition exists that he threw a
burning tar barrel overboard which the pirate followed. The
fleet, consisting of the pirate ship, her tender, (the snow,
of 90 tons,) a wine ship and a sloop, was put in confusion,
a violent storm soon after arose, and on the 2Gth of April
the fleet was shipwrecked near the Wellflcet shore. It is
said that all but two in the large ship perished, an English-

•Maas. Hist. Soc. CoU. Vol. 3, P. L-U

^ •

THE CAPE IX THE OLD FHEXCH WARS. 147

man and an Indian. The sloop and the snow got off and
€sc*aped.

When the news reached Boston of the disaster which
had overtaken the pirate fleet, Capt. Cj'prian Southack,
was sent by Gov. Shute, in His ^Majesty's sloop
Xath:iniel, to the Caj^ to look after the government's interests
here. He reached Pro\nncetown May 2, sent a whale1)oat
and crew to Tniro, where horses were procured, and he
proceeded to Well fleet. A watch was set upon the wreck
and the shore. Capt. Southack soon followed, Imt com-
plained that he was not very cheerfully aided by the
inhabitants, whom he evidently susi^ected of designs to
appropriate the goods washed ashore from the wreck. He
found the vessel on liis arrival broken to pieces, with the
wreck of a wine vessel some four miles from her, also
broken up. There had l)cen, he was told, at least 200 men
•to visit the wreck, some coming the distance of 20 miles,
helping themselves to whatever came on shore. The gale
had not yet subsided and continued for several days after
his arrival. Capt. Southack secured the pirate's ca1)Ie and
anchors, and in consequence of an advertisement which he
issued, threatening with the displeasure of the government
-all who were found with any of the shipwrecked goods on
their premises, several cart loads of stores were reclaimed
and sent to Boston, via Billingsgate (Wellfleet.) One
hundred and two men, the crew of the pirate ship, were
buried on the beach. In closing his communication with
tlie goveniment respecting this transaction, Capt. Southack
speaks approvingly- of the conduct of Joseph Doane,. Esq.,
•of Eastham, for his aid in securing the shipwrecked
property, and recommended the arrest of Caleb Hopkins,
(of Freetown, as he writes,) for obstructions in the
performance of his duty. It does not appear that his advice

148 CAPS COD.

was heeded.* But Gov. Shute ordered the eight captured
pirates to be brought to trial, and they were convicted and
promptly executed in Boston. For many years after, as the
legend runs, a man of "a very singular and frightful aspect,"
used every season to visit the Cape. He held but little
intercourse with the people, but from his ejaculations during
his troubled sleep, and blasphemous and rilmld remarks
which at that time passed his lips, he was popularly credited
with holding intercourse with evil spirits, or of being
disturbed by recollections of the bloody scenes in which he
had been engaged. He was generally believed to be one of
the pirate crew, who came down here to visit a concealed
hoard in order to supply his present wants, and when he
died, a girdle filled with gold pieces was said to be found
on his person. t To recent days, King William and Queen
Alary coins have been picked up on this shore, and the
WeUfleet Oysterman, about the year 1852, told Thoreau
that he had seen the iron caboose of the TMiidah, on the
bar at extreme low tide.

A remarkable physical fact was developed in connection
with this shipwreck. The accounts of the ** Bellamy storm"
state that the sea forced a passage through the Cape very
near the boundary line between the present towns of Orleans
and Eastham, and Capt. Southack sailed with a whale boat
through from the Bay to the Atlantic Ocean ! It required a
general turn-out and strenuous exertions of the people to
close the channel, f

The preceding pages have on several occasions recorded
the efforts and expenditures of the people to exterminate
wolves, which still continued to be, as they had been from
the earliest times, numerous, savaire and voracious. In

•state Archives.

-fAldeii's Col. of Epitaphs, vol. IV.

tSee Council documeuts iu Secretary's office.

.sC*)>?Col

JT-t

7X

.J"

's ■■

^ .^fJ^ttwA^^'-Hk ;

-^L^iy'^O- -.,

■it^^^mr

r„^A^

\

THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. 140

1717, at the instance of the people of Sandwich , the general
court was petitioned to construct a fence 6 feet high across
the Cape from Picket Cliff, the northeast boundary
between Sandwich and Plymouth, to Wayquauset Bay in
Wareham, ''to keep wolves from coming into the county.**
Sandwich offered to pay whatever over £500 the fence
should cost. Falmouth agreed to the plan, but the lower
towns declined to pay their part of the cost. The towns to
the westward of the county very naturall}' objected to
having all the wolves on their side of the line, and Hie
project was subsequently abandoned.

For a period of thirty-one years, peace with the French
was maintained, and the colonies had an opportunity to
recuperate their energies, after the wars of a generation.
But in 1744 King George's war conmienced, and was waged
with all the more zeal and activity from the respite which
the foregoing thirty years had given the combatants. The
reduction of Louisburg became the prime object of exertion.
This place, known as the Dunkirk or Gibraltar of America,
had been fortified by the French at great exj^nse and labor.
It had long been the hiding place of French privateers, and
when the expedition to attempt its reduction was planned,
the Massachusetts seaboard towns entered with patriotic
alacrity into the undertaking. The Seventh ^Massachusetts
Regiment in this expedition, made up of companies from
Baiiistable county, was under the command of Col. Shubael
Gorham of Barnstable, whose grandfather sacrificed his life
in the Narragansett expedition in King Philip's War, and
whose father had rendered most important services as
commander of the AMialeboat expeditions under Col. Church,
during Queen Anne's War, and fell a victim of diseases
when the victory was won. His brother, Capt. John
Gorham, was lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. Joseph Thacher

160 CAPB COD.

of Yarmouth was commissioned as major. The lieutenant
of Capt. Thacher's company was Joshua Freeman of
Harwich; ensign, Joshua Bossett of the same town. The
Fourth company was officered by Elislia Doane, captain;
Theophilus Paine, lieutenant; AVilliam Clark, ensign, all
from Eastham. Subsequent changes occurred in this
company, William Paine afterwards taking the place of his
brother Theophilus, and EUsha Doane, Jr., serving as
ensign. Lieut. Paine died and was buried at Louisburg.
The first company was officered by Edward Dimmick,
captain ; and Nathaniel Fish, lieutenant ; both of Falmouth*
On the 20th of ]^Iarch, 1745, 3850 troops, ''principally
substantial persons and men of beneficial occupations,'' most
of them from jVIassachusetts, embarked from Boston, under
the conmmnd of Sir Wm. Pepperell, and the siege of
Louisburg was continued with consideraI)le vigor, until the
16th of the following June, when the city of Louisburg,
together with the island of Cape Breton, was surrendered
by the French conunander. The troops from this county
actively participated in the several attacks upon the ^ Island
battery," so called. Col. Gorham commanded the ''Whale-
boat" fleet, as his ancestor did before him, and though his
attack was repulsed, his conduct was marked by gallantry
and courage. Of the iorty men from Yarmouth, thirteen
of whom were Indians, ten fell victims to disease or the
casualties of war. It was said that the first of the provin-
cials to enter the ''Grand Battery" wus one of Capt.
Thachci'^s Indians, who crawled into an embrasure, at the
suororestion of an officer who had «riven him a bottle of
brandy, to induce him to perform the hazardous feat, and
opened the gate through which the force entered, not
knowing at the time that the enemy had retired from the
position.

TOE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. IM

The brilliant achievement of the captui*e of this fortress
was received with demonstrations of gi-eat joy and exulta-
tion in all parts of New England, but nowhere was the
degree of satisfaction greater than in this county, whose
troops had been so actively engaged in this important
enteq^rise. The pulpits even resounded with acclamations
over an event which had in some measure during its
inception, been regarded as a religious crusade, and the rude
poetry of those days celebrated, in stumbling numbers, it
must be confessed, the victory and the victors. In Xiles's
** Wonder-working Providence," printed in 1645, api^ear the
names of the leading officers of the expedition. Some of
those in Col. Gorham's regiment are, with himself thus
mentioned :

'* ^^1lllt't we in honor these commanders have,
L<»l's turn our tliou^rht.- to Cornel GoRHAai's grave.
Who with hi? nncivtorst disttiugiiished are
As men of courage, mighty in the war;
He lit*< interred in that new-conquered soU —
. Tlif fruit of hi< and otheri** warlike toil.
Lieutenant Col'nel (torhax, nigh of kin
To his deoea.se<l Head, did honor win,
Unit« in nature, name, and tioir^t, they stood —
Unitedly have done their country good.
May Mivjor Tuacher live, in rising fame
W(»rthy of ancestors that bear his name.
And copy »»ft(*r virtr.ou^ relation?
Who so well filled their civil, sacred, military stations.

And Captain Dimmick plain by heathen's hand,
As wa^ hi-* father, under like command."

Xo sooner had this victorj'^ been won than the people of
the 8ea-coast were filled with apprehensions on account of
the intelligence of a powei*ful expedition which was to be
sent from Fmnce to recover Ijouisburg and hai-ass and
conquer New Enirland. The dwellers in this county were
greatly distressed by the rumors which reached them, to the

162 CAPB COD. .

effect that a lodgement was to be attempted on their coast.
The inhabitants of Truro, in a memorial to the general
court, showed their exposed and impoverished condition,
and asked for means of defence. A supply of small arms,
a four-pound cannon and some ammunition were granted
them. Some of the towns petitioned against impressments
for the public service. The formidable armament did not,
however, molest New England. The casualties of the sea,
sickness of the troops and death of the conmianders,
decimated the ranks of the invading army, and those
remaining returned to France, to the great joy and relief of
the colonists, who regarded these disasters to their foes as
a great deliverance, in which the hand of l^ovidence was
revealed in a striking manner. The peace of Aix-la-
Chapelle, which occun'ed in 1748, was therefore a joyful
event for our people, though the surrender of Louisburg to
the French, in consideration of territory on the continent
receded by France, was a source of profound moiiiiication
and grief to all New England. The feeling of exasperation
was somewhat soothed, however, by the action of Parliament,
voting £183,694, 2s., TJd. to reimburse the colonists for
the expenses of the reduction of Cape Breton. This money
was used to call in and to redeem the '' biUs of credit," at
the treasury, which was done at the rate of £2, 5s., old
tenor, lis., 3d. middle and new tenor, by one piece of 8 — ,
that is, a Spanish dollar. It was provided that after March,
1750, all debt^ should be paid in coined silver which is said
to be the origin of the term "lawful money."

The treaty of 1748 proved but a hollow tnice. The
rival pretensions of England and France did not admit of
paciticatiou, and infringements upon what the other nation
assumed to be its own prerogative were constantly made by
both of these powers. In 1755, war, which for three years

THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. 153

had been carried on without formal proclamation by
England, was now openly declared, and the conflict
opened which was destined to deprive Finance of her
possessions in North America, and which directly led to the
loss by England of her most valuable provinces, by the
revolt and successful resistance of the American States.
Not only did the English government, by the result of this
war give to France a motive for helping the Americans to
establish their independence, but it suggested and helped
along the union of the various provinces, which was found
so effective in practice, that it was afterwards employed by
the colonists to resist the measures of government in the
efforts to subjugate them and return them to their allegiance
to the crown. The plan of confederation of the colonies to
the more effectually prosecute the war, first suggested by
Gov. Shirley, was formulated b}- Benjamin Franklin just
twenty-two years before that distinguished philosopher
affixed his signature to the Declaration of Independence.
The people of this count}' continued their contributions of
men and money for the army, and felt with redoubled force,
the hardships of war, not only by their sufferings in common
with the rest of the country, but in the interruptions to
their commerce and the perils of maritime warfare. While
bearing their full share of the pecuniary burdens, however,
the men of this county were not so prominently identified
with the leading military enterprises of these years as they
had been in the wars which preceded this last and decisive
struggle.

With one of the tragic and romantic phases of the French
wars, our people were brought face to face. A party of
Acadians, the story of whose sufferings and wrongs the
jwetical genius of Longfellow has invested with a touching
and romantic interest, in seeking an asylum when banished

154 CAPB COD.

from their homes in Xova Scotia, in July, 1756, landed at
Monument from seven two-mast boats, and were held
by the authorities until more definite information of them
could be obtained. Silas Bourne, Esq., of that place, who
detained them, in a letter to Col. Otis, then in the council,
communicated all the information resi^ecting this party
which he was able to gather, reporting that there were ninety
of them, including women and children, tliat they stated
they were last from Rhode Island but previously from
Nova Scotia, and professed to l>e bound to Boston. To
many at that time the character of these people was a
profound mystery. They wei-e, subsequently, by the
action of the authorities, distributed among the sevei*al
towns in this vicinity, and the vessels in which they came
hither were taken and sold. Here, surrounded by strange
and unfamiliar faces, listening to a new and to tliem a harsh
language, this simple and inoffensive people lived and died
and were committed to an alien gi-ave,

** Uukuowu aiKl luiuoticecL
Daily the tides of life go ebbiug aud flowing beside them.
Thousands of throbblug hearttt, where theirs are at rest forever^
Thousaudd of aching I)rai]i3, wh«.'re theirs uo longer are bu&y.
Thousands of toiling hands, where theirs have ceased from

their labors,
Thousands of weary feet, where theirs have completed their

journey."

One of the legacies of the almost incessant wars, in which
the colonies had been for a long time engaged, was a large
public debt, and the natuml and universal panacea which
was resorted to, to tide over this indebtodnc:?s, was the issue
of bills of credit. In 1711, £40,000 of this paper was
issued, '*to be loaned to merchants and others for a term of
years." In 1713, it being found that the emission of bills
of credit had afforded but a temporary relief, a new loan of
£50,000 was effected. In 1721, another issue of £50,000

THE CAPE IX THE OLD FRENCH WARS. IW

m bills of credit was made. This scheme , however, instead
of bringing relief, resulted in pecuniaiy embarrassments;
the bills depreciated, and suffering to many was the result..
Another issue of £50,000 followed, '*to relieve the decline
of trade," but the real result was to stimulate speculation,
especially in Eastern lands, for which there seemed to be
almost a mania. The towns on the Cape suffered with the
other parts of the province from this vicious sj'stem of
finance, and it was many years before they recovered from
its baleful effects.

In a petition to the general court, made by representatives
of the several towns of the county, was set forth ''the great
inconvenience and expense incurred by the people of the
Cape, especiallj" by those remote, in being obliged to attend
the Superior Court of Judicature and Court of Assize, at
Plymouth; and they asked that such order might be had
that the courts might sit once a year in the county of
Barnstable. The application was favorably received and a
term was ordered to sit in Barnstable.

By the terms of an act of the general court of June 14,
1727, the "Precinct of Cape Cod" was incorporated as a
township, by the name of PROVlNCETO^^'N. Owing to the
peculiarity of its situation, and in its in many respects
anomalous position, the inhabitants were exempted from
taxation, except for municipal purposes, and from military
duty. The provincial government also continued to aid in
the support of the ministry of the place. The right of the
province to the title of these lands was esj^cially reserved,,
and has not l)een alienated to the present day. The
value of the harbor to the commercial world led the
provincial court to be especially watchful of its interests,
and the next year avc find that body passing laws to protect
the beaches from devastations by those who pasture cattle

IM CAPS COD.

there, stripping them of foliage, and thus exposing the
-sands to liability of being blown into the harbor. And
legislation in the same direction was hud again in 1740.

The increasing population of the lower towns of the
Cape, and the diiBculties of travel, led the inhabitants of
Harwich, Chatham, Eastham, Truro and Pravincetown, at a
meeting held in Eastham, Nov. 20, 1734, to prepare a
memorial to the general court, prajing to be set off into a
new county, distinct and separate from the county of
Barnstable. The reasons assigned in their petition were,
their great distance from tlie shire town of the county, the
loss of time to the jurors and all others obliged to attend
the courts, and the great expense attending it. This
petition not being granted, they again presented a memoiial
to the general court that they would order two sessions of
the peace of the inferior Court of Common Pleas and
General Sessions for the county of Barnstable to be held
annually in Eastham. But this, also, was not granted. The
next year Dukes county was associated with Barnstable in
the terms of the courts of General Sessions.

The religious movement, known at the time and since as
^ Tlie Great Awakeninrfj^' pervaded Xew England about the
middle of the eighteenth centur}'. The ^mtings of Jonathan
Edwards, by which the faith and doctrines of extreme
Puritanism were reduced to a system, powerfuU}' affected
the members of a community given to the serious contem-
plation of spiritual concerns. But Edwards's doctrines,
though metaphysically exact and symmetrical, did not appeal
to the affectional nature. This lack was more than made up
by George Whitefield, who came upon the scene at a time
when the public mind was a good deal agitated by serious
thoughts, and by his marvelous eloquence and contagious
enthusiasm drew multitudes after him, and his converts were

THE CAPS IX THE OLD FRENCH WARS. 15r

gathered by thousands, from all ranks and classes of society.
His adherents are known as Calvinistic ^lethodists, and
were called "New Lights;** his opponents, "Old Lights.**
The latter were numerous, and denounced him as an
"itinerant scourge.** The disputes waxed warm, and almost
all the clerg}incn in the country took sides and wrote or
preached on the subject. The press teemed with pamphlets
and more extended books from the pens of excited partisans.
The clergymen of this county took concerted action on the
subject which was engi'ossing so large a share of public
attention. Ten of them, Feb. 20, 1745, «ubscri1)ed to a
declaration of the eyils, which, in their yiew, flow from
itinerant preaching. These were stated to be : " That it
tends to destroy the usefulness of ministers among their
people, in places where the gosi)el is settled and faithfully
preached in its purity, and that it j^romotes strife and
contention, a censorious and uncharitable spirit, and those
numerous schisms and separations which haye already
destroyed the peace and unity, and at this time threaten the
subversion of many churches.*'

The Cape had hardly been settled a century before
emigration to more favored regions was projected. The
cleared lands had been so often divided and sub-divided that
the area remaining had become inadequate to the wants of
the community. The system of agriculture practiced in
tliose days did not provide for the enrichment and replen-
ishing of the land, which had been reduced in productiveness
by the removal of crops, but rather for breaking up of
virgin soil, which in turn was again abandoned for still
newer regions. In consequence of this system, or want of
sj'stem, tillage land became scarce. The first concerted
system of emigration, however, was to the eastward, instead
of westerly, as at the present day, and the lands occupied

158 CAPE COO.

were the indirect conquest of their arms. The veterans of
Philip's >yar were the first to claim the bounty of the
governujcnt for their exertions and privations in the field,
and most assuredly the}* merited some degree of consider-
ation for services which had received but scanty pecuniary
consideration. Though but few of the veterans lived to
receive the benefit of their sacrifices, their heirs and legal
successors kept up the agitation with a greater degi'ee of
success. In 1727, after many postponements and delays,
the Massachusetts legislature granted to the ofiScers and
soldiers, who served in the Xarragansett exi)editton, a
township equal to ten miles square, in the Province of Maine,
to each 120 persons where claims should be established
within four months from the passage of the act. It was
found that the whole number of persons amounted to 840,
and the lands for seven to\NTiships, numbered respectively
from 1 to 7, were subsequently granted. The latter, known
as Xarragansett No. .7, was assigned to the company of
Capt. John Gorham and a few others, which territory was
afterwards incoi-porated into a township by the name of
** Gorham," by which it is now known. The grantees
commenced their settlement in 173G, Capt. John Phinney and
family, from Barnstable, being the pioneers, and were soon
followed by a considerable number of families from the Cape,
•especially of the four to\Tns which sent forth Capt. Gorham's
company. The names of Bacon, Bangs, Bourne, Crocker,
Davis, Doane, Freeman, Harding, Higgins, Hinckley,
Hamblin, Lewis, Knowles, Linnell, Lombard, Paine,
Phinney, Sturgis, are encountered as often as on the records
of the Cape, and a monument in the centre of the town is
inscribed with the name of the pioneer and founder, from
Cape Cod, Capt. John Phinney.

The Indians of Mashpee, becoming dissatisfied with their

THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARa 150

lK)litic*aI condition, in 1762 asked for lai'gcr liberties, and
the ''District of Marshyjee," in which enlai"ged civil
ri<rhts were conceded tliera, was erected the next j'ear by
the general couit. The district was repi-esented as contain-
ing 237 inhabitants and 63 " wigwams."

The noitheni precinct of Eastham was in 1763 created a
town bv the name of Wellflket. It had Ijeen known as
Billingsgate, and had for ministers, Sevs. Josiah Oakes
and Isiiiah Lewis.

By the treaty of Paris, concluded in 1763, Canada, Nova
Seotia and Cape Breton were conceded to the British,
Glorious as were the results of the long ;*eries of wars
between Fmnce and England, in which this county bore so
prominent and creditable a part, the relief to the people
from the burdens and casualties incident to this state of
affairs, was most welcome. None could then foretell that
in the next conflict of arms the relative positions of the
<x>lonies to the combatants would be entirely changed.

CHIIOXOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1692-1763.

1693. Rev. Thomas Tborutou of Yarinouth closed his miuistry and
removed to Bontou.

1605. Mr». Mary Prence, widow of Gov. Thomas, died at the house
x>t her «oii-iu-law, Jeremiah Howe?, iu Yarmouth.

In 1690, the town of Ynrraoiith in settling the compensatiou of Rev.
John Cotton, provided that **he shall remit yearly the proportion
of all those neighbors called Quakers."

1701. The helectuien of Sandwich and Plymouth settled the bounds
between the two places. Also the selectmen of Barnstable, Sandwich
and Sackoneset, defined the boundaries of their respective towns.

ITtW. The town of Sandwich pave to Rev. Roland Cotton "all such
drift whales as shall, during the time of his ministry, be driven or
cast ashore within the limits of the town, being such as shaU not be
killed with hand.H.''

160 CAPB COD.

1708. Sandwich yoted to appropriate ^CiOO to build a new meeting-
house.

170IS. Mr. Cotton resigned the pastorate of Yarmouth ohuroh, on
account of ill health. He died the next year.

1706. A purchase was made by the town of Sandwich of lands at
Herring River, belonging to Zachariah 8ias, an Indian.

1707. A ** further division of the 40 acre lots ** was made in Sandwich.
Leave was granted, by the town, to certain persons ** to box and milk
2,000 pine trees for two years, £2 to l>e paid the town for the use.**<^£2(^
was appropriated to secure the services of Mr. Thomas Prince **to
instruct the children in reading, writing, arithmetic and Latin," and
yoted *Hhat they who send shall pay £10 more.**~i3. per day was
fixed upon as the pay for town representatives in general court.— The
town agreed to pay for wolves £4, ** in addition to what is provided by
law.'^—Bamstable voted permission to several Indians to dwell on
Oyster Island, at South Sea.— Harwich voted that ** every house-
keeper shall kill or purchase 12 blackbirds or 4 crows l)efore the first
of May, annually, as aforesaid," under penalty of 6s. for housekeepers^
or 2s. on single men.— Rev. Joseph Metcalf settled over the society in
Falmouth.

1706. Rev. Daniel Greenleaf was settled over the society in Yar-
mouth.

1700. The town of Eastham, having been presented for not having
a schoolmaster, John Doane, Esq., was appointed to appear in the
town's behalf, and the selectmen were instructed to take especial care
to obtain a teacher.

1710. Mr. John Avery was settled over the society in Truro; £60 per
year salary, and £20 to aid in building him a house, was voted by the
town.

1712. An agent was appointed by Eastham, to meet the a^nt of
Harwich, '*to determine and settle a line between the two towns,
running through the land formerly reserved for the Indians." The
presumption is that there were no Indians left to occupy the lands.
— ^The proprietors of Truro voted, that '* in cousetiueuce of the great
waste being made of wood in burning lime to be sent out of the town,
which may cause a scarcity of fire-wood, no person must cut on the
commons for this purpose."— Tlie '* new purchase," in Falmouth, was
laid out in lots, by a committee consisting of Thomas Bowr*rmau and
Philip Dexter, assisted by Mr. Samuel .Tennin;rs of Sandwich.— Rev.
Jonathan Russell succeeded his father, of the same name, us pastor of
the Barnstable church; salary £80, and £2lW settlement.- May 1.3, Col.
John Thacher of Yarmouth died, aged 75. He was a member of the
provincial council, and was buried under military orders.

1713. The province voted £40 to the town of Falmouth "towai^ds
building a meeting-house; one-half to be paid when the frame shall

CHRONOLOGT OP EVENTa 181

hare been ralaed, and the balance when the edlfloe shall have been
completed.**

1714. The ''Province Lauds*' were constituted bj the general court
the "Precinct of Cape Cod." The "lands lately purchased of the
Quasons** in Harwich were divided among its sixteen proprietors.

1717. Rev. Samuel Treat of Eastham died.

1718. Sandwich voted that no more herring shall be taken in future
to "fish com/' the supply l>efore this being in excess of the demand
thereof for food.~Rev. Thomas Prince, son of Samuel, Esq., of Sand^
wich, and grandson of Gov. Thomas Hinckley, was ordained associate
4)astorof Old South church, Boston.— Rev. Samuel Osbom called to
the pastorate of the South parish of Eastham.

1720. Rev. Joseph Lord settled over the church In Chatham, and
Rev. Benj. Webb the North church in Eastham.

1722. Rev. Roland Cotton of Sandwich died March 29, and Mr. Ben].
Fessenden succeeded him.—The eastern portion of Yarmouth was set
off as a separate parish or precinct.

1728. Rev. Joseph Metcalf of Falmouth died Dec. 24.— Billingsgate
became the 8d parish of Eastliam. Rev. Josiah Oakes was first pastor,
and continued a short time as such.

ITIL Rev. Josiah Man^hal] settled over the Falmouth society.

1126. Rev. Josiah Dennis became acting pastor of the East Parish,
Yarmouth, though not installed until 1727.— Rev. Joseph Green
ordained pastor of East Parish, Barnstable, then newly organized.

1729. Samuel Prince, Esq. of Sandwich died at Middleboro, July 8. —
Rev. Thomas Smith became pastor oi the first church, Yarmouth.

1728. "An awful and surprising Providence" occurred Aug. 8, to
Ebenezer Taylor of Yarmouth, who on going down a well about 40
feet, the stones below caved in, and those above pressed together,
leaving an arch midway, in which he was imprisoned for ten hoon,
han^riug by his hands on the well-rope, at the end of which time he
was rescued, in a very weak condition of body.— Rev. Daniel Green-
leaf was dismissed from the pastorate of the first church in Yarmouth.

1780. Rev. Isaiah Lewis became pastor of the second parish of
Eastham.

1781. Rev. Samuel Palmer settled over the church in Falmouth.

1738. Judge Peter Thacher of Yarmouth died May 28.— Joseph
Parker and others of Falmouth were granted leave to establish a ferry
between Falmouth and the Vineyard.

1739. Rev. Joseph Crocker was settled as minister of the third
Eastham parish.— A grant of one hundred and fifty acres of land
was made by the general court to Matthias Ellis of Sandwich, "in
consideration of the great services rendered by him in the expedition
to Port Royal, especially iu guarding the artillery at the great hazard
of hii life.**

IB CAPK COD.

171B. As ftot waa pMMd for the protection and preaerration of
ProTtnoetown Harbor, aud of Eut Harbor In Truro.— John Hall«t, in
behalf of the town of Turmouth, iMititlotuHl that hf rsadon of the
Intemiptlou of tbelr whalo O^herle*, the iuhabitaul« being much
ImpoverUtaed, thef be excuMd from lending a reproMntatlve to the
general court.

17M. Joslah EIU* and other* of Hanrloh petitioned to be made a
dlitlnct precinct, which iroa granted.— Rer. BenJ. Feuenden of
Bandwioh died Aug. 7.

1747. Rev, Edward Pell made pa«tar of couth precinct of Harwich.
—Richard and David Sean, tons ot David, of Chatbnm, harlng gone
to England, and Joined the army while there, both fell in the battle of
Cullodeu, April ZT.

174S. Rev. Josiah Lord of Chatham died.

1749. Rev. Abraham Williams settled in Sandwich, and Rev. Stephen
Emerj' In Chatham.

1791. Rev. Edward Cheever settled In Eastham.

17B2, Rev. Edwnrd Pell of Hanvich died.

17B4. Rot, John Avery of Truro retired from the miulstry In
consequence of old age, aud Rev. Thomas Smith from Yarmouth,
because of luadequute support.— Rev. BeuJ. Crooker settled over the
south precinct of Harwich.

1756. Rev. Nathaniel Stune of Harwich died, aged 88. — Rev. Qrln-
dall Rbwbou settled In Yarmouth, and Rev. Caleb Upham in Truro.

17B7. Smnll pox raged with peculiar virulence In Barastable, and
several citizens died.

1700. Rev. Oakes Shaw settled over the We!<t parish, Barnstable,
and Rev. Wm. Rnwsou retired from the Yarmouth parish.

1782. Rev. Joseph Qreen. Jr. became pastor of the church in
Yarmouth.

1763. CoL Joseph Thaoher of Yarmouth d. June IT, and Rev. Joslah
Dennis ot the eastern precinct, Yarmouth, Aug. 3L— Hon. Sylvanus
Bourne of Barnstable d. Sept. IB.

CHAPTER XI.

GATHERING OF THE STORM.

Colonitts' lutereits uubeeded lu the W«n— Lessou* learned ti; tbem—
OtU ou the "Writ* of AMlstouce," and Imsc Seara on the StanipB
— Tlmoth;' Rugbies —Stamp Act, "Mutiny Act," And Duty on
Tea — Mr, Greeiiough'it comiilicaUou- Reaolres of the Cap*" towns
— Oonuly Cougre-is- Divided eeutlnieiit of the County at Urst—
OlMtnictlon of Seislousot the C'onrts— K«wi from Lexington and
Couoord.

'^f^ HE almost intermittent wars of the previous
Ji^^f half century between England and France, had
i developed a state of feeling in the colonies
_ if which the mother country viewed with
r^-f|(' apprehension. So far as this continent was
^^ concerned, the American colonists had been
^ left to bear the brunt of the fighting,
and their interests and safety had been but little consulted
ID the frequent treaties and readjustments that followed the
hollow truces which, from mere exliaustion, had from time
to time been arranged by the combatants. The restoration
of Louisburg to the French, after the arduous and brilliant
uampaign which accomplished its capture, surreudering it as
an equivalent for the restoration of French conquests in
other directions, was most repugnant to the feelings of the
colonists. The people of New England, who had braved
and suffei'ed so much to maintain the supremacy of England
on this continent, were thus left to calculate how much
these exertions counted with tlie mother country in the great

164 CAPE COD.

game of diplomacy, and were made sensible that their
welfare was secondary to other, and what was regarded as
the more important, interests of tlie English nation. The
restrictions with which their commerce and trade were
hampered, the impressment of their citizens, both in the
naval and military service, and the encroachments of the
royal governors upon the prerogatives of the popular
legislative bodies, were the occasion of much apprehension
and discontent. The final conquest of Canada, accomplished
in so great a degree by the valor of colonial troops, had
educated them in the lessons of self-reliance, and of military
skill, which was soon to be directed to upholding their own
rights against the oppressions of their former allies. **The
same old drums that beat at the capture of Louisburg
rallied the troops on their march to Bunker Hill ; and the
same Col. Gridley who planned Pepperell's luitteries,
marked and laid out the one where Gen. Warren fell ; and
when Gage was erecting breastworks across Boston Neck,
the provincial troops sneeringly remarked that his mud
walls were nothing compared with the stone walls of old
Louisburg."*

The reluctance of the colonial assemblies to grant suppUes
to the governors and judges appointed by the crown, upon
the requisition of those officers, until they had carefully
scrutinized all the items, had been remarked upon by the
British ministers with grave disapproval on more than one
occasion; but the exigencies of the times had led to the
temporary waving of the question at issue. After the
peace of Paris, the ministry had more leisure to pursue
their schemes of repression, and the vast debt of the late
wars led them to look about for the means of defiuying the
greatly augmented expenses of the government. Before

*ParflOO0*« Life of PeppereU; Everett's Orations.

GATHERING OF THE 8TORM. Ifl6

that time, in 1761, **the opening scene of American
resistance,*** had been precipitated by the attitude of the
citizens of Boston, sustained and viyified by the matchless
eloquence of a son of Cape Cod. The oppressive acts of
trade which had been passed by Parliament had been evaded
by the people of the colonies, and the Superior court was
petitioned for ** writs of assistance," to aid them in their
work of enforcement. The hearing on this petition was
had before the court, of which Thomas Hutchinson had but
recently been appointed chief justice. Gridley, for the
crown, in an able manner laid down the law and cited the
precedents. Oxenbridge Thacher replied with wise and
learned words of dissent. James Otis, Jr., a young man
who had recently been a student in the office of the King's
attorney, in an argument which since then has been forever
memorable, plead the cause of the people of Boston. He
said: **I am determined to my dying day to oppose with
all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such
instruments of slavery on the one hand and viUiany on the
other as this writ of assistance is. I argue in favor of
British liberties at a time when we hear the CTcatest monarch
on earth declarino: from his throne that he fflories in the
name of Briton, and that the privileges of his people are
dearer to him than the most valuable prerogatives of the
crown. I oppose the kind of power the exercise of which,
in former i>eriods of English history, cost one King of
England his head and another his throne. Let the conse-
quences l>e what they will, I am determined to proceed, and
to the call of my country am ready to sacrifice estate,
health, applause, and even life. The patriot and the hero
will ever do thus. And if brought to the trial, it will then
be known how far I can reduce to practice principles whidi

^Bancroft.

166 GAPS COD.

I know to be founded in truth.'' His whole plea was
exceedingly able, and as poured forth was listened to with
almost breathless attention for over four hours, a stream of
eloquence, patriotism, and legal acumen, creating most
intense excitement. Well did John Adams say, in reference
to that plea and occasion, " Otis was a fiame of fire ; with a
prompitude of classical allusions, a depth of research, a
rapid smnmary of historical events and dates, a profusion
of legal authorities, a prophetic glance of his eyes into
futurity, and a rapid torrent of impetuous eloquence, he
hurried away all before him. American independence was
then and there bom. Every man of an immense crowded
audience appeared to me to go away, as I did, ready to take
up arms against writs of assistance." Though the validity
of these writs was after some delay afiirmed, they served
no purpose beyond imtating and inflaming tlie resentment
of the people of Boston and of the other sections.

The purpose of taxing the colonies, which had been under
consideration for several years, was brought forward in
Parliament in 1764, and the following session an excise was
made on certain goods, and stamp duties were also imposed.
The measure met with the most determined opposition in the
colonies. The stamp officers were compelled to resign,
and the act, therefore, became a nullity. In New York the
opposition to this act was, if possible, more determined
than in Boston, and the leader in the popular movement was
one whose origin was from Cape Cod, Capt. Isaac Sears,
who put himself at the head of the populace, exclaiming,
'^Hun-ah, boys, we icUl have the stamps!" and they were
seized and committed to the flames. The governor dared
not resist; and Sears was then placed at the head of the
committee for geneml safety.

The fii'st Continental Con<rrcss ever assembled was held in

GATHERING OF THE 8T0BM. VK

October, 1765» consisting of delegates from each colony,
**to consult on the common interest.'' Of this body,
Timoth}*' Ruggles, recently and for some years an inhabitant
of Sandwich, was chosen president. Up to this time he had
been regarded as an ardent patriot. He was a man of showy
abilities, witty, audacious and well-informed, but with no
guiding principle, except ambition and self-seeking. Allied
to this county by no ties of blood or lineage,* our people
have no occasion to cither take pride in his abilities nor to
blush for his apostacy to the cause of liberty. The congress
over which he presided passed a declaration of the lights
and grievances of the colonists ; asserting the iii*st of these
to be "^the rights and libeilies of the natural-bom subjects
of Great Britain — tlic chief of which arc, the exclusive
power to tax themselves, and the trial b}' jurj*^ — both of
which Parliament by its recent action had invaded.''

The repeal of the Stamp Act, January, 1766, was
preceded In'^ a declaration of Parliament that they •* have and
of right ought to have, power to bind the colonies in all
cases w'hatsocver." In pursuance of the purpose disclosed
in this declaration, an act followed the next j'^ear, imposing
duties on tea, pai)er, glass, paints, etc. ; a custom house was
established; a board of commissioners appointed, and two
regiments of soldiers sent over to Boston to enforce these
laws and overawe the people. Another, and a most
revolting act was passed, pro>'iding that all offenders against
these laws should be sent to England for trial. This statute,
denominated '^the mutiny act," excited the fiercest resent-
ment in the popular mind. The general couit refused all
compliance with this act, and it having been demanded of
them that they rescind their declaration not to submit to the

•He marriecl, iu 17^, widow Buthsheba Neweomb of Sandwich, and
carried ou the dou1)le oicupatiou of lawyer and tavern keeper, iu the
houM* still Ataudiu^ by the town house.

U8 CAPE COD.

enactment, the refosal was again and most emphatically
re-affirmed. Said James Otis, Jr., a reprepresentative from
Boston in 1768: ^Let GhrecU Britain rescind; if she does
not, the colonies are lost to her forever.^ Got. Bernard
then dissolved the general court, and subsequently refused
to prorogue it. A convention of the towns was then called
— the Cape being generally represented — and petitioned
the 'King for a redress of grievances, followed by an
**address to the sovereign people." They had barely time
to do this ere Boston was garrisoned by 4000 troops.

The feelings of irritation, caused by these troops, were
still further aggravated in 1769, by a demand from the
Governor for funds to defray the expenses of the soldiers in
Boston, which demand was instantly and indignantly
refused. Then followed non-importation associations ; and
after repeated acts of retaliation, Bernard left the
province and was succeeded by Hutchinson as Lieutenant
Governor.

The Boston massacre, in 1770, was the natural sequence
of the preceding transactions and the state of feeling which
they engendered. Lord North this year became prime
minister of England, and as a peace offering to the excited
feelings of the Americans, all duties were repealed, except
the slight one of 3d. per pound on tea, which was retained
as the assertion of the right of Parliament to tax America.
This the people recognized as the vital principle at issue,
and determined at all hazards to resist ; and they did this at
an immense sacrifice of their business interests, particularly
those of a commercial nature. Many families from this
county, especially those in the towns of Harwich and
Chatham, removed to Nova Scotia, the better to prosecute
the fisheries and agriculture, under more favorable condi-

GATHERINQ OF THE STORM. le^

tioDs.* The towns of this county, through correspondence
with the central committees in Boston, were kept in
sympathy with the patriot cause. Associations of the " Sons
of Liberty ^ had been formed in several towns, so that in
the year 1773, those who resisted the acts of the British
ministry were well organized and in a favorable position to
repel the efforts to force upon the people the consumption
of articles, which had been made subject to taxation^
particularly of tea. The improvised tea party in Boston
harbor had its accompaniment here. The arrival of the tea
ships^ the meetings of the citizens to prevent the landing
of their cargoes, the boarding of the vessels by men
disguised as Indians, who emptied the contents of three
hundred and forty-two chests into the sea — ail these events
are familiar to the readers of revolutionary history. The
day following, a letter was despatched to the South shore,
which read in this wise :

Boston, Dec. 17, 1773.

Gentlemen : — We inform you in great haste that every
chest of Tea on board the three Ships in this Town waa
destroyed the last evening without the least injury to the
Vessels or any other property. Our Enemies must
acknowledge that their people have acted upon pure and
upright Principle. The people at the Cape will we hope
behave with propriety and as becomes men resolved to save
their Country.**

' To Plymouth and to Sandwich with this addition : " We
trust you will afford them Your immediate Assistance and
Advice.**

The reference at the close of the letter was to still a
fourth teaship which had been cast away on the back of the

*The9e families were uot Tories, as 9ome have «uppo9ed, but remoyed
as from oue Atate to another, at a time when Indepeudeuce was not
seriously coutemplated by the general mind.

170 CAPE COD.

Cape, within the limits of Provincetown. This occurrence
led to complications which inyolved un&vorably one who,
up to this time, had held a high position in the councils and
confidence of the patriots. When Capt. Loring's barkentine
was cast away, Mr. John Greenough, the teacher of the
town of Truro, and a member of the committee to carry
into effect resolves of the several congresses, undertook to
procure and did procure, two vessels for the agent, Mr.
Clarke, and assisted in getting the cargo to Boston. While
in Provinceto^^ll, he procured two damaged chests of tea,
partly for himself and partly for other persons. As the tea
paid no dut}^ he said he conceived that he might do so
without injury to the country's cause. One chest was
disposed of to Col. Willard Knowlcs of Eastham, and
another retained by himself. This transaction was not
viewed with lenity by the citizens of Truro, who held a
public meeting, called Mr. Greenough before them, and
received his explanation as already set forth, and also his
offer to do anything in his power to remedy any evil effects
of his action, which the to\\Ti might require. The advice of
the Committee of CoiTcspondence in Boston wa^^ asked, and
after considerable delay Mr. Greenough's explanation was
accepted, and he was restored, in some measure, to the
confidence of his colleagues. It was creditable to the
patriotism of the Truro people, that the repeated solicita-
tions of the owners of the teaship, to accept employment in
transporting the cargo to Boston, were refused, notwith-
standing promises of a large reward, and that several
vessels there were unemployed. The vessels to do this were
procured in Boston.

The public proceedings of all the towns at this juncture
breathe a tone of the loftiest patriotism. Sandwich, in
January, 1773, instructed its representative to petition the

GATHERING OF THE STORM. 171

King for a redress of grievances. In 1774, it was voted,
not to import, buy nor make use of the teas purchased by
the East India company-, or subject to an unconstitutional
duty. Yarmouth appointed a committee to see that no tea be
brought into the town, and also a committee of observation
and prevention. Barnstable prepared instructions to its
representative, among the objects of which were, **to have
the liberties wrested from us bj*^ arbitrary measures restored ;**
**to use ever}' legal and constitutional method to have the
Port of Boston opened and made free," and ""in case the
governor shall dissolve the House of Kepresentatives" to
join with others in forming a Provincial Congress, etc.
Eastham, in 1773, voted, that the several acts of Parliament
complained of by the colonies are a manifest violation of
their rights; that everj' true friend of his country who
should accept an offer of a judge in the courts under the
loyal governor should reject it with abhorrence, and those
who should accept it would be regarded as objects of
contempt. It was also voted, that thanks be given to the
people of Boston, "for their zeal and activity in the cause
of liberty." In 1774, the town again expressed a determi«
nation to opi)ose the ministerial plan of taxation ; that the
action of the East India company to send their teas to this
country subject to payment of duty, " is a violent attack on
our liberties; that whoever shall, directly or indii'ectly,
countenance this attempt, is an enemy to his country.'*
Falmouth, in 1774, appointed a committee of correspondence
and ordered that evcrj' man from 16 to 60 years of age be
furnished with anus and ammunition; also appointed a
committee "to see that the Continental Congress be adhered
to." Harwich voted to purchase fire-arms, and to pay the
taxes to Hcnr}" Gardner, Esq., the provincial treasurer.
Truro, though exposed to great peril, voted their sympathy

172 GAPE GOD.

with the common cause, especially in resistance to the
scheme of sending teas to the colonies, and though some
had been led to yield to the temptation of procuring tea at
a small cost, the town remained inflexible on that point. A
committee of correspondence was also chosen. In Chatham
the record says, ^a large number signed against tea*"
Wellfleet, in 1774, passed resolves pledging the town to
^the defence of liberty against the unjust enactments of
Parliament and the usurpations of the Crown ;^ also **not
to purchase any imported articles on which Government has
imposed any unconstitutional and unlawful duties."

The first provincial congress, which assembled Oct. 7,
was generally represented by the Cape towns. This waa
preliminary to county congresses in the different divisions
of the State. A Barnstable county congress, composed of
delegates from the several towns, assembled in the court
house in Barnstable, Nov. 16. Hon. James Otis was chosen
chairman, and Col. Joseph Otis clerk, of the meeting. Col.
Nathaniel Freeman, Col. Joseph Otis, Mr. Thomas Paine,
Daniel Davis, Esq. and Mr. Job Crocker were appointed a
committee of correspondence, to communicate with different
parts of the county and with other counties in the province
as occasion might require; and a committee consisting of
Hon. James Otis, Col. Jos. Otis, Col. N. Freeman, and
Mr. Thomas Paine, Daniel Davis, Esq. and Capt. Jonathan
Howes, was appointed ''to consider further the public
grievances and the state of this county, and report at the
time at which this meeting shall be adjourned." Thanks
were then voted to the moderator, clerk and Col. Fi*eeman,
**for their good services," and the meeting separated. We
have no information of the re-assembling of this body, but
the foundation here laid, brought forth its fiiiit in the future
transactions of the people of the Cape. An address adopted

GATHERING OF THE STORM. ITS

hj this body was circulated among the people, and had a
good influence, concentrating the sentiment of the community
in the direction which it pointed out.

There was need of great promptness and discretion at this
crisis. Those who were aggrieved by the acts of Parliament
and the assumptions of the King were by no means united
as to the most practical modes of resistance, or in the
determination of resisting by force at all. It was a step,
which no one can l)e blamed for hesitating to enter upon, in
view of the certain consequences of such action, if unsuc-
cessful. There are many reasons for thinking that the
moderate or conservative party was much larger than is
generally lielieved. It consisted of pronounced loyalists —
those who received or expected favors from the government
— including many persons of position and culture ; and a still
larger class, who shrank from a contest with the power of
the British government. There were many of the latter in
Barnstable and Sandwich, who made themselves felt in the
proceedings of the towns, i)ostponing action in some cases,
and at other times defeating the designs of the more
advanced patriots. In Sandwich, Dr. Nathaniel Freeman,
an active Whig gentleman, was assailed in the night time
by parties who had felt themselves aggrieved by his course,
and he barely escaped with his life. A loyalist mob in
Barnstable cut down the lil)erty pole and went to the brutal
extreme of tar and feathering a woman, whose sharp
speeches had excited their resentment. In Truro, as late at
Dec, 1774, such was the venom with which the loyalists
viewed the patriot cause, that they threatened to assail the
house in which lodged Dr. Adams, an ardent Whig physician,
and a large numl)er of citizens refused, for this cause, to
employ him professionally. Rev. Mr. Upham, the clergy-
man of Truro, for entertaining a numl>er of eminent Whig

174 CAPE COD.

gentlemen who visited the town, was abased in a most
scurriloas manner by some of his parishioners, who forbade
his entering their houses, threatening him with personal
indignity if he did so.* Even after the events of
Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill, in consequence of
representations made, that some of the inhabitants of East-
ham and Chatham, and other towns in the county, had
violated the resolves of the Continental Congress and the
Congress of this Colony, Nathaniel Freeman and Col. Jamea
Otis were requested to make inquiry into the matter, with
authority to cause such person or persons to be apprehended
and secured, and brought up to the court to answer for their
conduct — but we have no record that this last step was in
any case taken. Still later, in consequence of a letter
received by the Council from Col. James Otis, a committee
was raised by the legislature to investigate the conduct of
^certain Tories in Barnstable, and in particular a person at
the head of them who professes himself a whig." Until a
short time before the outbreak of hostilities, the numerica]
strength of the loyalists was not inconsiderable, and
embraced some men of position and influence, but they
were in time completely overborne by the zeal, activity and
efficiency of the patriots, until the moderate and temporizing
of their number were swept away by the tide of enthusiasm
and the force of will of those who had determined upon
resistance. There was no footing for moderate or half-way
parties. There trere two extremes, and the one or the
other had to be taken. Very soon, in the march of events,
there was practically but one party here.

To punish the inhabitants of Boston, and compel them to
make restitution for the value of the tea destroyed,

^Letter from Dr. S. Adams to Thomni* Paine, Esq., of Ea^ithain, Dec.
6,1771.

GATHERING OF THE STORM. 17&

parliament passed a bill interdicting commercial intercourse
with that port, and prohibiting the landing or shipping of
goods there. The effect was of coarse to deprive at once a
large portion of the inhabitants of all means of subsistence ;
and the only way in which their sufferings could be relieved
was by contributions from other towns. These were poured
in from all parts of the country, the Cape not failing to
contribute her share. Among these Tvei*e the following:
Barnstable, £12, 10s., 8d. ; Wellfleet, £7, 10s., 8d.;
Eastham, £10 and 50 bushels of com ; Falmouth, £30, ISs.
and 5} cords of wood, at one time ; at another time £5,
15s., 8d. ; Truro, £11, 16s.; Sandwich, £19; Mashpee,
18s. ; Yarmouth £. parish, £7, 4s., 8d., W. parish, £5, 6s.»
8d. ; Eastham, N. parish, £7, IGs.

The year 1774 was made memorable by the meeting of
the Continental Congress, and by the promulgation of the
Solepm League and Covenant, to suspend all intercourse
with Great Britain, set on foot by the leading patriots of
Massachusetts. It is, however, the purpose of this narra-
tive to enlarge upon these proceedings no further than is
necessary to make intelligible the conduct and action of the
inhabi^nts of the Cape. Heretofore, the local demonstrar
tions had been in the direction of the assertion of their
rights, and protests against their infringement, by the lo<^
assemblies ; stopping short of actual resistance to authority.
The time had now come when forcible means were resorted
to, when the Jirst overt act^ done in the face of day, was to
be taken by our people.

Parliament having taken from the House of Representa-
tives of the pro>ince the right to choose the council — a
right granted by the charter to the province — and author-
ized tiie King to appoint the council by maiidamtis^ and
directed the sheriffs of the several counties to appoint the

176 CAPS COD.

jurors instead of their being drawn, as provided hy law,
from the jury boxes, by the selectmen, the popular leaders
determined to resbt an act which put them so completely
at the mercy of their oppressors. A court of Common
Pleas was to be held in Barnstable on the first Tuesday of
September, and they resolved to put an end to its sitting
and prevent the transaction of any business whatsoever.

Accordingly, a large body of citizens, men of substance
and position, from Rochester, Wareham and Middleboro,
repaired to Sandwich the Monday preceding the opening of
the court, and was there joined by many other citizens of
that town. Dr. Nathaniel Freeman was chosen conductor-
in-chief, and subordinate ofiicers were appointed. On
Tuesday the body marched to Barnstable, where they were
joined by many citizens of that and the lower towns, in all
about 1500 strong, and took possession of the grounds in
front of the court house. Commissioners were then
appointed, to ferret out the disaffected among the people,
and require them to renounce in writing their Toryism.
Many were found and signed, as required, but did it with a
very poor grace. The court, led by the sheriff, soon made
its appearance. The crowd giving way, Col. Otis, the chief
justice, addressed the assemblage, denmnding to know the
cause of this obstmction, and was answered by Dr. Freeman,
standing on the court house steps, as follows: "May it
please your honor — Oppressed by a view of the dangers
with which we are surrounded, and terrified by the horribly
black cloud which is suspended over our heads and ready to
burst upon us, our safety, all that is dear to us, and the
welfare of unborn millions, have directed this movement to
prevent the court from being opened or doing any business.
We have taken all the consequences into consideration ; we
have weighed them well, and have formed this resolution

GATHERING OP THE STORM. 177

which we shall not rescind.*' The chief justice, then,
calmly but firmly replied, "This is a legal and constitutional
oom-t; it has suffered no mutations; the juries have been
drawn from the boxes as the law directs ; and why would
you interrupt its proceedings ? Why do you make a leap
before you get to the hedge ?" Dr. Freeman i-espondcd, "All
this has Ix^en considered. We do not appear here out of
any disrespect to this honorable court ; nor do we apprehend
that if j'ou proceed to business you ^nll do anjihing that
we could censui'e. But, sir, from all the decisions of this
court, of more than forty shillings' amount, an appeal lies,
an appeal to what? — to a court holding oflSce during the
King's pleasure ; a court over which we have no control or
influence ; a court paid out of the revenue that is extorted
fi'om us by the illegal and unconstitutional edict of foreign
despotism; and there the jur}^ will be appointed by the
sheriff. For this reason, we have adopted this method of
stopping the avenue through which business may otherwise
pass to that tribunal, well knowing that if the}'' have no.
business, they can do us no harm." The chief justice then
said, "As is my duty, I now, in his majesty's name, order
you immediately to disperse and give the court the oppor-
tunity to perform the business of the county." Dr.
Freeman replied, "We thank your honor for having done
your duty; ^^'E shall coxtixue to perfoioi ours."
The court then turned and repaired to the house, where
they had lodged.

A committee, of which Dr. Freeman was chairman, was
also chosen to wait on the chief justice and request him to
attend at Salem at the time appointed for the meeting of a
new general court, and there take his seat at the council
I>oard, to which he had been duly chosen. He answered in
writing that he had concluded to do so, if his health

ITO CAPE COD.

permitted. The justices also signed a paper not to accept
any appointuieiit under the authority of the act of Parliament
under review. The justices whose names were appended
were : James Otis, Thomas Smith, Joseph Otis, ICymphas
Marston, Shearjashub Bourne, David Thachor, Daniel Davis,
Melatiah Bourne, Edward Bacon, Isaac Hinckley, Solomon
Otb, Kenelm Winslow, Richard Bourne. Thomas Winslow,
David Gorhara, and Chillingworth Foster, Rsq'rs, subse-
quently, by request, also signed the document. The deputy
sheriffs were then called upon to sign a similar dcclamtion,
and the military officers were also requested to i-esign
commissions wliich they held under the existing authority,
which they accordingly did. Before dissolving, committees
from all towns were appointed to cairy into effect the
wishes of the meeting. Their names have been preserved,
and are : For Falmouth, Moses Swift, John Gi'annis,
Daniel Butler. Yarmouth, Daniel Taylor, Isaac Haml>lin,
Joseph Crowell. Barnstable, Ebenczer Jenkins, George
Lewis, Eli Phinney. Sandwich, Nathaniel Freeman, Lot
Nye, Seth Freeman. Harwich, Benj. Freeman, John
Freeman, Lot Gray. Eastham, Job Crocker, Amos
Knowles, Jr., Thomas Paine. Wellfleet, Samuel Smith,
David Grecnouirh. Truro, Dr. Samuel Adams, Jonathan
Collins. Chatham, Dea. Bassett, Richard Sears.

While the English ministry, disregarding the protests of
Dr. Franklin, and the waniings of Chatham, Burke and
Camden, were taking measures to enforce their decrees at
the cannon's mouth, the patriots of Massachusetts were
deliberately preparing for resistance. And when the news
was brought to Cape Cod, by rapidly-riding couriers, that
Lord Percy, Major Pitcaim and their three thousand
regulai's had 1)een driven back to Boston by the embattled
farmers at Lexington and Concord, the whole countrj' rushed

GATHERING OF THE STORM. 179

to arms, ready to repel other aggressive movements.
Nowhere was this spirit more determined and earnest than
at the Cai)e. When the intelligence reached Yarmouth, the
two companies of militia in town -— the western, under the.
command of Ca]>t. Jonathan Croweii, of Iti men ; and the
eastern, commanded by Capt. Micah Chapman, 22 men —
started immediately for Boston, but the news that the troops
had not dared to again leave the place, determined them to
return home, which they did, after three daj's. At Barn-
stable, 19 soldiers were mustered and started off April 20
— the verv next dav after the battle. AVhen this body of
patriots was about to move, in the first rank was a young
man, the son of a respectable farmer, and his only child.
In marching from the village as they passed his house, he
came out to meet them. There was a momentary halt. The
(brum and fife paused for an instant. The father, suppress-
ing a strong emotion, said, "God be with you all, my
friends; and John, my son, if you are called into battle,
take care that 3'ou behave like a man, or else let me never
see your face ! " The march was resumed, whilst a tear
started in every ej^e.* The rhetoric of that speech, says
Palfrey, may not l>e Greek, but the spirit was — it was
Spartan. Ebenczcr Weckes, of Harwich, when the news
of the engagement reached him, said to his son, of the
same name, "Eben, you are the only one that can be spared ;
take your gun and go ; fight for religion and liberty ! " The
son obeyed, and others joined him. They were in the
battle of Bunker Hill.

Henceforth all thoughts of a pacific solution of the
differences with the mother country were abandoned.
Minute men, ready to reiwrt hostile movements, were

•Ell PhinneyV Diary.

180 CAP£ COD.

appointed in all the towns, and ^Besistance, onto deaths"
was the motto of the hour.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1764-1776.

1764. Hoii. John Thaoher d.— Rev. Nathan Stone settled as pastor of
the East parish, Yarmouth. — Hon. Ezra Bourne, Sandwich, d.

1765. Rev. Jonathan Mills called to the pastorate of South precinct»
Harwich.

1768. Rev. Joseph Green, Jr., of Yarmouth, d.

1768. Col. James Otis of Barnstable appointed a member of His
Majesty's Couucil.— Rev. Timothy Alden became pastor of First
church, Yarmouth.

1770. Rev. Joseph Green of East parish, Barnstable, d., and was
succeeded next year by Rev. Timothy Hilliard.

1771. First Baptist church, Barnstable, organized, under the ministry
of Rev. Enoch Eldridge.

1772. A mysterious tragedy occurred on the high seas this year.
Sch. Thomas Xickerson, from Boston for Chatham, was boarded back
of the Cape, in consequence of signals of distress whicli she was
fljring, and only one man found on board, and he ** very much fright-
ened." He stated that the day before a topsail schooner overhauled
them, and four boats with armed men came ul>oard, and the master,
mate and one man were murdered and the boy carried away. The
survivor says, that supposing they belonged to a King's cruiser and
would impress him, he had hidden himself and escaped observation^
and after the invaders had left he came out, found the decks bloody,
the chests broken open and plundered, etc. Edward Bacon, Esq., of
Barnstable, notified the Governor, and Admiral Montague of the
frigate ''Lively" went in pursuit of the pirate, but none was found,
and it was considered certain that there was none on the coa;«t. The
person found on board was sent to Boston, tried for murder on the
high seas, and the jury disagreed. The next trial resulted in a vei'dict
of NOT ouiLTr, tlic trial lasting fourteeu days, '' the most surprising
trial on record." The affair was transferred to the politics of the
times and did much to iuerease the popular excitement. The leading
Whigs expressed their t)elief in the prisoner's declarations, and charged
murder upon the crew of the royal navy, while the Tories, on the con-
trary, insisted that he killed three of the crew to obtain their money,
and then took the life of the fourth, who was a boy, to escape detection.

CHBONOLOGT OF EVENTS.

181

Th« nsinea of the rlotlm* ot thin traced]? were, Cnpt. Tbomat
NickervoD, Ell*taK Newoomb, Wm. Keot, Jr., and another, all of
Cbklham.

1773. Popawet incorporated a* 2ii prechu-t of Sandwich.— Tenibla
Are In Sandwich woods, attended with preat destruction of sheep.—
Samuel Tupper, Esq., of Sandwich, d.— Rev. Jouo, UlUsot Harwich, d.

CHAPTER Xn.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

CoL James Otii, Prevideut oJ th« Counoil— Tarmouth Troops at
Dorobester Heights — Cape Towns for tbe Declaration of Indepen-
denoe— Their contributions of troops and supplies for the War —
Demonstration upon Falmouth— Death of Col. James OtU—
Wreck of BritUh Frigate Somerset— Wreck of American Privateer
Brig, Gen. Arnold, Capt. Uagee— The British at Wood's Hole-
Capture of the Oenenil Leslie by Capt Joneph Dimmiok— Calls
for supplies, and exhaustion of the people — Peace and the Fisheries
—British Fleet lu Cape Cod Harbor- Cape Cod Heroic Incidents
—Captures and Restoratlona- Privateers— Jersey Prisou Ship-
Death of James Otis, Jr.

HEN Gen. Gage left Boston iu 1775,
^V Gen. Huwe, who succeeded him, kept
up only in appearance the fiction of a
lieutenant governor and mandamus council.
From 1776, when Howe evacuated, to
1780, when the constitution was adopted,
all public concerns were, in the recess of
the general court, directed by the council,
annually chosen under the charter granted by William and
Mary. The eldest of the councillors present, it was
determined, should be prasident of the council for the time
being. Col. Jajies Otis of Barnstable tilled that station
under this nile, and thus was virtually flie chief executive
magistrate for four of the five years interregnum, while
Massachusetts was in the stage of transition, from province
to state.

THE REVOLUTIOXARY WAR, 18»

With the occupation of Dorchester Heights and the
consequent expul&»ion of the British troops from Boston, it
was the fortune of one of the to^vns of this county to be
intimately connected. Gen. Washington, having determined
ujKin the attempt to fortify this point, wrote early in the
year 1776 to the council for Massachusetts Bay, submitting
to their wisdom " whether it may not be best to direct the
militia of certain towns, contiguous to Dorchester and
Roxbury, to repair to the line at those places with anns,
ammunition and accoutrements, instantly upon a given
signal." Yarmouth was not exactly "contiguous," but was
called upon ; and Capt. Joshua Gray, who commanded the
town militia, at once set forth, accompanied b}' a diiimmer,
to call for volunteei's. Every one manifested a readiness
to go. The succeeding night was spent in preparation ; the
mothers and the daughters sat up moulding bullets, making
caitridges and preparing for the departure of the husbands
and brothers,* and at early dawn, 81 men were on the march
for Dorchester, where they annved in time to participate in
the achievement which resulted in freeing Boston and
Massachusetts from the presence of British troops.

The House of Ivein-esent^itivcs of Massachusetts, May 10,
passed a resolve, requesting each town in the jurisdiction
to advise the persons who should represent them in the next
general court, whether, if Congress should declare them
independent of the kingdom of Great Britain, thej' would
solemnly engage with their lives and fortunes to support
Congress in the measure? The responses were generally
both emphatic and satisfactory. Sandwich resolved, "that
should the Hon. Conirress of the United Colonies declare
tliese Colonies in<lependent of the kingdom of Great Britain,

•The house, in the chani])cr of which tht^e in-eparaliuuj* were made,
ip ritUl standing at the corner of Hailet street and Wharf road,
Yarraouthport.

184 CAPE COD.

we solemnly engage with our lives and our fortunes to
support them in the measure." Yarmouth voted unanimously
^that the inhabitants of Yanuouth do declare a State of
Indepexdexce of the King of Great Britain, agreeably to
a late resolve of the general court, if in case the wisdom of
Ck)ngre8s should see fit to do so." Eastham instructed the
representative to urge upon the Continental congress the
importance of declaring the United Colonies independent of
Great Britain. Falmouth voted to stand by the Continental
congress on this subject. Harwich voted, ^that should the
Hon. Congress, for the safety of the Colonies, declare them
independent of the kingdom of Great Britain, the inhabi-
tants of this town solemnly engage with their lives and
fortunes to support them in the measure." Wellfleet voted
"^that if the Hon. Continental congress shall think proper
for the safety of the good people of the United Colonies, to
declare said colonies independent, we, the inhabitants of
Wellfleet, will support them with our lives and fortunes."
Truro instnicted their representative to '^fall in with the
Provincial and Continental congresses." The action of
Barnstable was unexpectedly unfavoral)le to the patriotic
party. Owing to personal and political complications, a
peculiar condition of affairs prevailed in the town. The
existence of a small but active body of pronounced loyalists
there has already been noticed. Besides these there were
some who hesitated to openly array themselves against the
authority of government, and others, who hoped for a redress
of ginevances without a final separation fn)m the mother
country. Added to these were others, who from personal
hostility to the leading advocates of independence joined
with the other factions in voting against the proposition, or
by not voting at all, and thus defeating an expression in
favor of a cause which they aftcnvards were shown to

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 185

liave deeply at heart. The proposition to instinct the
representatives of the town to vote for independence was
voted down, 30 to 35, in a meeting at which 140 were
present. It is evident that in the heat of the personal
controversy, the tiiie question at issue was subordinated or
lost sight of, and it was subsequently, with good reason,
it would seem, claimed by some who were of the 35 nays,
that they voted, not against independence, but in opposition
to instructing the representatives liow to vote. There is no
reason to doubt that a town which gave to the ix)pular cause
the elder and younger Otis, Daniel Davis, NjTnphas
Marston, and a long array of other devoted patriots,, and
which had heretofore sustained their position, was sincerely
and overAvhelminglj' in sympathy with their countrymen in
this supreme hour of their history. That it placed the town
in an unfortunate, if not in a false position, is evidenced
by the fact Uiat a protest, signed by Joseph Otis and 22
other inhabitants of the town, was made and requested to be
entered on the town's records, that the subscribers thereto
might be absolved from seeming acquiescence in *^80 strange
a vote." This protest, the substance of which had subse-
quently been published in a "Watertown newspaper, was,
July 23, read in oi^n town meeting, and it was then voted
that the protest was a " wrong and injurious representation
of the proceedings of the town." Although not prepared
to recede from their former position, the majority were
evidently unwilling to be considered as not in full sjTnpathy
with the prevailing sentiment of the community on this,
paramount question.

The action of the Continental congress, in passing the
Declaration of Indei)endence, changed the iss^ue from one
for constitutional libeily to national independence, upon the
appearance of which issue all minor and subsidiary questions

IM CAPE COD.

seem to have been overshadowed, and the parties opposed
to the loyalists to have been compacted into one grand and
united patriotic organization. From this period the national
existence of the United States must be dated, and all who
hencefoi-th supported the cause of independence, however
they may have differed on preliminary questions of legal
theor}' or of policy, are entitled to the cordial and grateful
recognition of their countrymen for their patriotic exertions.

While the events already noticed were pending, a.
company of 100 men was enlisted in the county to serve on
IVIartha's Vineyard, ''to pass muster before Major Josei)h
Dinunick, and to be under the command of ^lajor Barachiah
Basset, for the defence of the island." The general couit,
in 1776, ordered that the selectmen of Sandwich be paid £4,
18s., 2d. for barracks, wood, cartridges, powder and flints
furnished. Also that 600 cwt. of cannon balls be supplied
for Truro. July 10, a resolve was passed by the general
court, to ** draft every 25th man" to re-enfoi'ce the northern
army, and Amos Kuowles, Jr. of Eastham and Joseph Xye of
Sandwich were appointed agents for the county. Sept. 10,
it was ordei^ed again, ''that onc-iifth part of the entire militia
be dmfted to re-enforce the army." Joseph Nye and others
were appointed agents to purchase 60 whalcbouts with oars,
to be delivered at Falmouth, or some other convenient point
on Buzzard s bay, to convey troops to Khode Island, and
£360 was appropriated for these purposes. The men drafted
for the Barnstable county brigade were designed for New
York, but subsequently were ordered to Khode Island^
where the enemy's fleet had concentrated.

Enlistments in the service were encouraired in all the
towns. Falmouth voted to add £1, IGs. to the wages of
such citizens as should be diufted in the Continental army.
Barastable voted instructions to the selectmen to pay £1 to

THE REVOLUnOXARY WAR. 187

each private soldier or non-commissioned private who should
enlist, over the amount given by the general eouil. Yar-
mouth, West prerinet, raised £70 to pay 5 men for the army^
and the East precinc^t alx)ut the same amount. Eastham
offered a bountj" of £8 for those enlisting in the Continental
senice, and £3 for tlie Provincial service. Truro voted to
give to each man who enlisted in the Crown Point expedition
£25. £40 had been offered for volunteers for the Conti-
nental army during the war, but it was found necessaiy to
resort to a draft. Subsequently the town was excused from
furnishing its full quota. Joseph Nye, Esq., of Sandwich,
was appointed by tlie general court agent for Barnstable
county, to procure for the arm}'-'* coats, waistcoats, breeches^
felt hats, shiils, hose and shoes."

The year 1776 closed and 1777 opened, it must be
confessed, under gloomj' auspices. Every industrial emploj^-
ment was completely paralyzed. Agriculture, a secondary
calling with our people, was greatly abridged. The whole
seacoast was under tlie sui-veiUance of British cruisers. At
both exti-emes of the Cape — at AVood's Hole and Provincetown
— the enemy were in full possession of the adjacent waters.
It was in many cases impossible to meet the requisitions for
money, even if those for men could be complied with. The
town of WcUfleet petitioned, that on account of scarcity of
money and the interruption of their regular business, they
miirht have their tax abated. The memorial stated that the
people of this town are located *" on the most barren soil of
the Province," that ''all the land capable of being tilled
would not yield com enough for more than a quarter of the
inhabitants," that "the harbor, which was convenient enough
for small vessels in carrying on the whale fishery, was the
only advantage of the location, and this pursuit, in which
hitherto had been employed 2000 tons of shipping, and by

1S8 CAPE COD.

which nine-tenths of the inhabitants gained their living, was
entirely cut off by British men-of-war anchored in Cape
Cod harbor ; that " the oj'ster fishery, by which the other
tenth obtained their livelihood/' was lost to them, and most
of their vessels were hauled up and becoming worthless,
and the few which attempted to go out of the harbor and
fetch provisions had been captured ; and that the town was
almost destitute of bread and other necessaries of life ; they
therefore prayed they might be relieved from a public tax.
Provincetown was completely at the mercy of the British ;
it was lai'gely deserted by the inhabitants, and those who
remained were obliged to trust to the clemency of the
commanders of the ships of war in their harbor. In a
lesser degree, perhaps, the condition of Wellfleet may be
said to serve as the counterpart of that of the entire county.
But requisitions for men and supplies were constantly
made of them. Jan. 1, the militia officers were directed to
detach from the several companies of the town 25 able-
bodied men, 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants and 2 corporals, to be
stationed at Naushon for the defence of the harbor of
Tarpaulin Cove. Subsequently it was ordered that 53 men
be enlisted for this purpose. Jan. 30, of 5000 blankets
that were called for for the army, this county was required
to furnish 160, viz. : Barnstable 32, Sandwich 25, Yar-
mouth 23, Eastham 17, Wellticct 13, Chatliam 9, Harwich
20, Falmouth 19, Truro 11. And Jan. 26, a resolve which
had passed requiring the drafting of eveiy 7th man was
defined to mean l-7th '^of all the male inhabitants over 16
years of age, whether at home or abroad," a requirement,
which bore with peculiar hardship upon a community made
up so largely of :$camen as was the county of Barnstable.
Volunteering, after a time, exhausted the number of those
who were found ready to enter the service, and recourse

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. m

was had to drafts. The men, thus di*afted, in some cases
refused to march agreeable to orders, and were committed
to jail. These were aided and abetted by the Tories in
Barnstable and Sand^nch, and subsequently esca}>ed from
jail without paying their fines and costs; and the general
coiut took action to reclaim them, to enforce the collection
of the lines, and to dispose of the proceeds of this process.
Growing out of these occurrences, the court appointed a
commission, at the request of Joseph Otis s^nd Nathaniel
Freeman, to inquire into the disorders in Sandwich and
Barnstable, with authority to send for persons and papers,
Joseph Otis being muster and paymaster for the tix)ops from
this county.

The legislature of 1778 gave evidence that the success of
the American cause was recognized as assured in the popular
mind, from the fact th:it many Avho had sjTiipathizcd with
the British and had left their homes tempomrily, as they had
supposed, indicated a desire to return and give in their
adhesion to the govemment then established. This county
was not without some such instances. The dominant party,
considering their causes of exasperation, can be said to have
been inclined to leniency. Sundry persons in Sandwich,
who were petitioners, were referred to the committee of
correspondence from that town, who treated the applications
with favorable considei-ation ; and later, several persons,
who were confined in Barnstable jail, were permitted to
leave, upon producing a certificate from said committee that
they believed these persons hereafter *^will approve them-
selves faithful subjects of the state,** they givmg bond with
sureties, and taking the oath of allegiance to the govem-
ment.

The quota for the Continental army for this county was
found to be incomplete, AVellfleet being one of the towns

190 CAPS COD.

delinquent in this respect. The town again memorialized
the court, setting forth tliat great numbers of its inhabitants
had removed from town, and tliat the circumstances of
those who i*emained were those of distress. Half of the
state tax was, therefore, abated. The situation of the entire
county was fairly descril>ed by Gen. Joseph Otis. '^TTe
have," he wrote, '^more men in the land and sea scrrice than
our proportion. We have, from Wareham line, a sea-coast
of 60 miles to Qiatham, where there is scarcely a day that
the enemy is not within gun-shot of some part of the coast,
and thej'' very often anchor in our harlK)rs. Under these
circumstances, to detach men from their property, wives
and children, to protect the town of Providence in the heart
of Rhode Island, and not in as much danger, causes great
uneasiness. Not a word is said against filling up the
Continental army, although every man costs $450, which is
owing to our men that are fit for the sen'ice being aboard
the navy or in captivity by l^eing taken by the enemy's
fleet.** Still the calls for this service continued ; April 20,
70 men from this county were ordered to Ehode Island, and
June 12, 78 more. Shoes, stockings, shirts, etc., were
included in the requisition, the num1>er of each article
required of the county being 505, and £30 was the forfeit
for delinquency.

In September of this year, the enemy made a demonstra-
tion upon Falmouth, and Brigadier Otis, with a portion of
his command, went there to the defence of the place. The
enemy had just engaged in a series of operations at New
Bedford and Fairhaven, which reflected less credit upon
their military skill than it did upon their capacity for burning
and pillaging non-combatants, and evinced a disposition to
continue these operations here. But beyond landing and
carrying away four coasters and burning one, thej"" accom-

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, ' IW

plishcd nothing. The militia were readj^ to receive them,
and they declined the combat. Almost ^simultaneous with
these transactions, Brigadier Otis, receiving orders to raise 50
men in his brigade to go to Providence, Avrote, "As the
«nemy are around and threaten danger here, it is like
drairsrinir men from homo when their houses arc on lire ; but
I \rili do my best to c-omply." A few days afterwards,
uiH)n the re<'eipt of a letter from Gen. Otis, the council
were desired by the house to order the company of militia
under the command of Capt. Job Cix>cker, on duty at
Barnstaible, to march to Boston to do duty under Gen.
Heath. It was also resolved "that inasmuch as the militia
of the countj' have been and continue to be greatly harassed
by the api)earance of the enemy's jihips and the landing of
troops in the vicinit}', the count}' »)e excused for the present
from raising men agreeably to the order of the council.''
Col. Enoch Hallet of Yarmouth wrote about the same time,
that "the general opinion that prevails among the people
here is that this county is so nmcli exposed on both sides to
the enemy that it would be very dangerous to send off those
men.**

The friends of the popular cause in this coimty and
throughout the land were saddened by the death, Nov. 9th,
of the venerable patriot. Col. James Otis. His fame was
somewhat obscured by the brilliancy and eloquence of his
illustrious son, but it may well be doubted whether the
services of the father were not of almost equal value to the
cause of his country. He was what is known as a
"self-made man." The ancestor of the family in this
country. Gen. John Otis, was boni in Barnstable, Eng., in
1581, and came with wife and children to Hingham in 1635,
and afterwards, though at what time it is difficult to
detcnnine, Avas in Barnstable. Col. James was bom in

192 . CAPE COD.

1702. He learned the business of a tanner , but soon
became distinguished for his intellectual j^owers. Being-
at court in Barnstable one day, as a spectator of the-
proceedings, a neighbor, who was unprovided with counsel^
applied to him for assistance in a case before the tribunal.
Consenting to act, he managed the case with such ability
that friends urged him to ent^r the legal profession, after a
due course of study. Procuring books, he assiduously
devoted himself to his new pursuit, in which he soon became
eminent. Colonel of the militia, at a time when both honor
and influence attached to the position, he soon added to thia
title, that of a member of the provincial legislature, in
1745. It was one of the defects of the provincial system
of government, that legislative, judicial, executive and
military duties were often combined and exercised by
the same persons, — a blending of functions and authority
which existing theories of government, as set forth in
statutes, expressly and most properly inhibit. He was
speaker of the house in 1760 and '61. Being recognized as
a leading patriot, his continued election was negatived by
the government. He was nevertheless appointed judge of
Probate court in 1763, and chief justice of Common Pleas
in 1764. That year his appointment as member of the
council was negatived by the royal governor, and, although
durincr the remainder of Bernard's administiTition he was
uniformly elected to the council, he was, for his fidelity to
the people's cause, on each occasion rejected by the
governor, until 1761), when Hutchinson, coming into power,
tried to conciliate him l)y acceding to his appointment ; and
he continued in the position from that time until the opening
of the Revolutionary war. He was a meml>er of the first
provincial congress, and, as before remarked, was the senior
member of the provincial council, from 1775 until a short

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 198

time before his death. An a compeer of Samuel Adams,
Quincy, Hancock and other illustrious patriots, he stood in
the foremost ranks of the advocates and defcndci*s of the
popular cause.

Nearly simultaneous mth the decease of Col. Otis,
Nov. 2-3, 1778, the British warship Somerset, Capt. Aurey,
was wrecked on the back side of Pix)vincetown, having,
while in pursuit of the French fleet, struck on Peaked Hill
bars, and, like many a good craft before and since, was
unable to extricate herself. After unavailinir efforts to
lighten the vessel b}* throwing over guns and ammunition, a
succession of gi'cat waves lifted her over the bar and landed
her, a helpless wreck, a long way up the beach. There was
a rush of people to the wreck to plunder whatever might
come ashore ; and considering the necessities of the times
no one can great Ij*^ censure the needy i)opulaoe for helping
themselves to the spoil of the enemy so oppoitunely wafted
to their doors. The militia of Truro and the adjacent
country took charge of the crew, and Shearjashub Bourne,
Esq. libelled the vessel. Col. Doane of AVellfleet in the
meantime taking formal possession. Col. Enoch HaUet of
Yarmouth, high sheriff of the county, marched the-
prisoners, 480 men, through the county to Baiiistable and
thence to Boston, and there was much exultation over the
event. The Somerset had been for several years upon this
coast, and had participated in the battle of Bunker Hill.
Longfellow, in his poem of Taul Revere's Ride," has the
lines:

** Where swinging wide at her moorings, lay
The Somerset, British man-of-war."

'NMiile in Provincetown Harbor she had been a familiar sight,
and had, with her formidable armament, been viewed with
some degree of awe by the inhabitants. Under the direction

IM- CAPB COD.

of the Board of War she was now stripj^ed, her guns sent
to various pomts on the coast, and her ammunition and small
arms devoted to the use of the continental army. When
abandoned by^the authorities she was again pillaged by the
local wreckers, and her frame left to the chances of time
and the elements. The winds swept over her, and the
drifting sands enveloped her in their embraces, until the
changes of a centuiy again disclosed her battei*ed hulk to
the obsen^ation of a new generation, to whom her history
comes like a memory of auld lang syne.*

Another wreck, attended by more tragical consequences,
occurred to an American armed vessel Dec. 26 and 27 of
this year, in the awful storm, generally known as the
"Magee stoinn." The government brig Gen. Arnold, Capt.
James ^lagee, sailed from Xantasket Roads, Boston, Dec.
2-t, 1778, in company with the privateering slobp Revenge.
In the bay they encountered a violent northeast storm,
described as "" unparalleled in the annals of New England.*^
The sloop weathered the Cape, which the Gen. Arnold was
unable to do, but in the afternoon anchored off PIjTnouth.
The gale increased, and in the morning of Dec. 26,

*The remains of the Somerstet came to li^ht iu the summer of 18S0,
and were examined liy huudreds of ])eoi>ie from all section:* of the
oouutry. The foUowiug letter, received by a gentleman of Province-
town, wa3 in au3wer to a request for information made to the Secretary
of Admiralty, Whitehall, London:

Admiralty, S. W., "iSth May, lim.
Sir — In reply to your letter of the 12th instant, a<kin^ for informa-

sixtv-fimr gnn«*, was laid down to build in Her Mn jesty\< dockyard at
Chatham oil May 5, 174G, launched July 18, 174S, and fitted as a jruard
ship. She nppear.-* to have been employed as a guard ship and on
home service until 1776, excepting durins the time she was under
repairs at Chatham, apparently between 1768 autl 1770. She l«ft
England in October, 1774, for the North American station. She
returned to England in 177C, and appears to have been fitted again as
a guard ship. She left Kinrland in March, 1777, and was lost off Cape
Odd on the 2d or 3d of November, 1778.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Evan MAcGasooit.

THE REVOLIJTIOXARY WAR. WJ

continued ven" severe. Despite of ample precautions, the
vessel ))ecoming encumhored in snow and ice, and the waves
dashing furiouslv airainst her, the suffcrinsrs of the crew
were intense. Manv hcmn to sink and die from exhaustion.
Lieut. Jolin Kussoll of Barnstable, commander of the
marines, was among the iirst to succumb, but othci*s soon
followed. On Sunday, the 27th, the storm abated, Imt the
extreme cold continued. The vessel was boarded from the
shore; seventy bodies were found frozen on the deck or
attached to the shrouds and spars ; thirty or more exhibited
signs of life, but were unconscious. Of the 105 who sailed
from Boston the Thursday preceding, only 33 were then
living ; of these 9 died a few days after, 6 were confirmed
invalids, and only 10 entirely recovered. The people of
Plymouth, with a tenderness and humanity which did them
honor, took the sufferers to their homes, nursed and cared
for them, and i^ei-formed the last rites of Christian burial
for the dead. The bodies of seventy-two of them, placed
in coffins, were removed to the court house, where, after
affecting services, they were committed to a common grave.
The names of 11 of the deceased, who belonged in Barn-
stable, were: Capt. John Russell, Barnabas Lothrop,
Daniel Hall, Thos. Casley, Eben Bacon, Jesse GaiTett, John
Berry, Baniabas Howes, Stephen Bacon, Jonathan Lothrop,
and Boston, a negro.* Barnabas Downs, Jr., was the only
sunivor of the twelve Bamstal)le men on board.

The great public event of 1779 was the French alliance,
which cheered the drooping spirits of the patriots ; but at
home, affairs were gloomj'^ in the extreme. The town of
Falmouth and the shores along the Vineyard Sound and
Buzzards Bay being exposed to attack, troops for defenee
were concentrated there. April 2, a formidable fleet

*See ** Remarka1)le Narration," by Barnabas Dowua; Otis's Sketches
of Baru8table Families, etc.

IM OAPE COD.

attempted the destruction of the town. At a late hour the
night previous a marauding party from the fleet in Tarpaulin
Cove landed from their boats, and under the direction of a
refugee proceeded from Wood's Hole to the farms of
Ephraim and Manasseh Swift. They drove some 12 head
of cattle to the beach, knocked them in the head, and were
in the act of taking the carcasses on board the vessels when
they were surprised, and put off without their booty.
Returning to the fleet they concluded to come back the
following day, and bum the town. Infoimation, which was
communicated by a refugee, of this intention, soon reached
the town, and great excitement prevailed. Expresses were
despatched to neighboring towns, while the men at hand
hastened the work of the entrenchments. Major Dimmick
was in conmiand. Col. Freeman, with Capts. Fish and
Swift of Sandwich, arrived by the next morning. The
expected fleet hove in sight early in the morning and came
to anchor abreast of the town about 9 a. m. They were
evidently surprised at the extent of the preparations to
receive them. About 11 J o'clock they formed their fleet,
consisting of two schooners and eight sloops, into a line
against the posts on the shore, and commenced a warm fire
with cannon-ball, double-headed shot, grape and small arms,
and manned their boats, ten in number, with about 220
men, having, to appearance, double that number on board,
and made several attempts to land at various places, keeping
up a continual fire until 5 o'clock. The troops on the shore
at first reserved their fire, but becoming impatient, and after
ineffectually challenging the invaders to the attack, they
opened a brisk volley. The enemy was soon forced into the
sound, where they remained until the next morning. A
party attempted to land at Wood's Hole, but the troops
posted there opened fire and they retired to their vessel.

THE BEVOLUTIONART WAR. 197

They went to the island of Nonnamessit, where they
committed some depredations, killing a few cattle and
swine, which they took away with them. The alarm was
renewed by the appearance of the fleet on the 9th, but they
finally retired in the direction of Chatham.

Subsequently the brigadier of the county was ordered to
detach, for service in Falmouth, that part of his brigade in
the towns west of Harwich.

Orders for the raising of 87 men in this county were
issued in June, and requisitions for 513 each of shirts,
shoes, stockings, for the army were made. Col. Nath'l
Freeman was appointed superintendent for the county, and
Col. Enoch Hallet, receiver for the goods. An embargo
was placed bj' the legislature on vessels outward bound,
excepting wood and oyster craft within Cape Cod and Cape
Ann, such vessels to obtain permits. The lands of
^conspirators^ having been liable to confiscation, Joseph
Kye of Sandwich was designated for agent, and a commis-
sion, consisting of Solomon Freeman, Esq. of Harwich,
Capt. John Howes of Yarmouth, and Major Joseph
Dimmick of Falmouth, was constituted for this county.
The difficulties attending the mo>ing of men for the
protection of Falmouth, having compelled the officer in
command to impress horses for the more rapid movement of
troops, and the owners threatening prosecution, an act was
passed exempting the officer from legal proceedings, but
expressly providing that it shall not be construed to justify
such action in the future.

By the summary measures adopted the coast was in a
degree protected, but on the water, upon the whole southern
shore of the Cape, the enemy's cruisers were very destructive
and annojing. About a league off Hyannis, in October,
they captured a fish-laden vessel bound to Stonington, and

19B CAPE COD.

drove another ashore on the eastward coast of Falmouth.
A company of refugees with some 20 Vineyard pilot boats^
ran into the Cape harbors and were enabled to take
property, which was not duly pi-otected. Gen. Otis applied
in this emergency for a number of 8-pounders, swivels, etc.,
and engaged to procure ^two small vessels and get them
manned to scour the sound.^ He at the same time wrote
that ^ Hyannis is much exposed ; and to draw off the men
to Falmouth causes much uneasiness."

The taking of the sch. Gen. Leslie, in Old Town [now
Vineyard Haven] harbor, by a party under command of Col.
Joseph Dimmick, from Falmouth, was an act of great
gallantry and enterprise. The Leslie had on board 33
men and 10 4-pounders. The Falmouth vessel had 25 men,
2 3-pounders and 2 wooden guns. They went to Old Town
harbor, where lay the Gen. Leslie and a sloop mounting 12
9-pounders, with three prizes anchored between them. They
first made for the 12-gun sloop, intending to board and
sweep the harbor ; but the wind and tide setting out, they
fell about a biscuit toss astem, and could not fetch again.
This was night work. The sloop being alaiined began a
fire. They then immediately i*an the Leslie aboard amidst
the attack from the sloop, tiring a volley of small arms into
the Leslie, wounding one of her men, who afterwards died,
and receiving a volley in return, which hurt nobody ; then,
jumping on board, about 20 men drove the Leslie's men
below, cut the cable, and earned the prize in triumph to
Hyannis, with the vessel and her 33 prisoners, who were
sent manacled to Boston.

Another of Col. Dinmiick's brave and gallant acts may
properly be narrated here, though referring to another
period of the war. A schooner sent to the Connecticut
river for com — then extremely scarce in these parts, and

THE REVOLUTIONART WAR, 1»

selling for tS per bushel — was intercepted as it was entering
the sound, and captured. The captain escaped to the shore
in his boat and hastened to Col. Dimmick, whom he reached
at midnight, and to whom he communicated his tale. The
colonel jumped from his bed, and directed the captain to go
for his brother Lot. The two soon succeeded in mustering
20 resolute men, and started for Wood^s Hole. Thev there
procured three whaleboats and proceeded to Tarjiaulin Cove,
arriving just before daybreak. It was very cold, and the
colonel allowed his men to land and kindle a tire in a hollow,
where they would l>e unobserved, and wait until morning.
At the first glimmerinjr of day the privateer and the prize
were discovered lying at anchor in the cove. Col. Dimmick
and his men were, in another minute, in their boats pulling
vigorously for the prize. They were fired on from both
vessels, but returning the fire, boarded the prize, retook it,
got immediately under way, and ran ashore at the west end
of the Vineyard. The privateer followed, and was repulsed ;
the tide rose, and in a few hours the schooner was safely
moored in Wood's Hole harbor, to the great joy of the
inhabitants.

Shortly after the capture of the Gen. Leslie, George
Leonai*d, who was at the head of a company of refugees in
the sound, sent a flag of truce to Gen. Otis, proposing an
exchange of Barnabas Eldridge and Isaac Matthews of
Yarmouth, held as prisoners, and Manasseh Swift and James
Wing of Falmouth, held on parole, for certain persons
captured on board the Leslie. Gen. Otis subsequently
ascertained that Leonard, under date of ''On board ship
Resolution, Holmes' Hole, Oct. 1," had issued a proclamation
inviting all who had taken up arms ag:iinst the government
to la}^ them down, promising '* protection and every comfort^
to such as should do so.

aOO CAPE COD.

Monetary necessities at the close of the year were
pressing; the currency was depreciated and of uncertain
value. Committees had been chosen to regulate the prices
of products, and everything possible had been done to
prevent speculation and extortion.

An unpleasant epbode of the times, though not necessarily
a part of the record of the war, must be noticed in order
to make the history of the year complete. The commanding
general of the county became embroiled with the authorities
by reason of his appointing a brigade major who was, from
his antecedents and abilities, distasteful to the officers of the
county. The council in delicate terms hinted a disapproval
of the choice, and no notice being taken of this, some
pretty plain talk was indulged in by the presiding members-
speaking as the mouthpiece of the body. Gen. Otis, who
felt, probablj', that the sei-vices of his family entitled him
to immunity from interference, was finally obliged to jdeld,
and his future position and influence were greatly lessened
by this unfortunate event.

The gloomy aspect with which the year 1780 opened was
increased by the curse of an irredeemable paper currency,
a calamity little less than that of war itself. The money
and credit of the states being at a low ebb, the only alter-
native was to make requisitions upon the several states so
as to include provisions and forage. Blankets, shoes, shirts,
stockings, were called for in quick succession. 453 of each
article were discounted as the proportion of this county. This
was more satisfactory than calling for money which had
limited purchasing power, as is illustrated by the fact that
the general court in June of this year voted to Rev. Samuel
Parker, minister at Provincctown, £3000 in addition to the
regular annual grant of £45 I

Another requisition for the re-enforcement of the army

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 201

was made Juno 2, and in order that a sufficient num)3er of
effective men might be retained on shore to supply the call,
an embargo was laid on the departure of vessels throughout
the State. From this county 187 men were asked for, and
June 22, 223 more. Xath'l Freeman, Esq., was appointed
superintendent for the county, and Mr. Freeman, with
Barnabas Freeman, Esq., and Capt. Edmund Howes were
appointed '^to receive moneys in and of the public treasury.**
The sale of confiscated estates was urged forward for the
benefit of the treasury, by the commissioners, Nathaniel
Freeman, Daniel Davis and Joseph Otis. An additional
call for 156 men was made Dec. 1. Besides this, a
requisition was received Sept. 25, for 71,280 lbs. beef, and
Dec. 4, for 136,875 lbs., for Barnstable county. These
repeated calls completely drained the towns of men and of
munitions, and the time came when the requisitions were
not met, because there was no way of supplying them. The
people were at the end of their resources. Harwich,
Chatham, Eastham and Yarmouth were obliged to memorial-
ize the general court, severally setting forth '^the many
difficulties and distresses the inhabitants of said towns labor
under by reason of the extraordinary diminution of
inhabitants and many other inconveniences of the present
war" — praj'ing that they may ^be abated the txixes and
requisitions for beef and other articles." A committee
being sent by the genei-al court to the Cape, the members
were satisfied that no amount of effort and no degree of
patriotism could furnish beef where it was not to be found,
and that the requisition for the same amount of this proWsion
that it required of the rich agricultural region of the
interior, was a most preposterous exaction. A resolve
consequently passed in Jan., 1781, '"to stay executions
issued against said towns until further orders," also to remit

20St CAPS COD.

a fine of £600 to the town of Barnstable, assessed for a
fiiilure to provide the whole number of soldiei'S that had
been required the previous year, tlie members being satisfied
of the inability of the town to meet the requisition.

The new constitution of the state being adopted took
effect Oct. 25, 1780, and the first election by the people
followed. John Hancock was chosen Governor, and Thomas
Gushing lieutenant-governor. The first senator from
Barnstable county was Solomon Freeman of Harwich, who
served in that office for 17 — though not successive — terms.

The expenence of 1781 was nearly a rej^etition of that of
the preceding year. The people in general were gi-eatly
impoverished, but there still remained some citizens of
means and resources. Loans of money were solicited by
the state government for war purposes, and Joseph Nye,
Esq. of Sandwich, and Elisha Doane, Esq. of Wellfieet,
were made a committee to procure subscriptions. The
county was again called upon for beef, j(),489 lbs. being its
pro^>ortioii. Men were called for to defend Rhode Island,
the brio^dier (>:eneral beino^ ordered to detach from liis
brigade ''one l:>t lieut. and 56 non-commissioned officers
and privates, provided with good firelock, bayonet, cartridge-
box, haversack and blanket."

Some of the towns, especially those in the lower portion
of the county, feeling that it was utterly impossible to
comply with the government requisition for beef for the
army, met by delegates at Barnstable, and appointed Dr.
John Davis to represent their case before the general court.
In an address adopted ''the inequality of the burdens laid
upon the people" was intelligently discussed. Especially
was the impossibility of furnishing beef enlarged upon ;
that they had been disproportionately taxed was rendered so
evident to the authorities that £2224 of the tax of this year

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 20ft

was abated. U|X)n the representation of Brig.-Gen.
Freeman, under date of Oct. 20, it was ordered that a guard
for the town of Falmouth **be detached from the Ist
regiment in the company and placed under the command of
Lt.-Col. Dimmick.''

Negotiations for peace had been progressing, and it shows
the interest and importance attached to the fisheries, that
the towns in many instances gave instruction to their
representatives, to *'ask of the legislature to see that the
commissioners be instiiicted to preserve and restore that
interest." Accordingly a resolve was passed Oct. 27,
instructing the delegates in Congress "to present to that
body the importance to the United States in general and to
this state in particular, of the fisheries, that the rights
heretofore enjoyed by the United States may, in any
settlement of peace, 1>e acknowledged and secured. **

The condition of the army under Gen. Washington, early
in 1782, which was most deplorable, was hardly worse than
that of the people in many sections of the country. Nowhere
vras the state of affairs more apparent than in many
jmrts of the Cape, as it is fully disclosed by the proceedings
of the legislature. On the petition of Edward Knowles
and others, in behalf of the towns of this county, that
body, Jan. 30, appointed a committee to repair to the towna
of Yarmouth, Harwich, Eastham and Chatham, and view
the circumstances, hear all parties, and report ; also to go
into other towns in the county for the purpose mentioned,
and until further orders, all executions for any deficiency in
procuring beef or men, were ordered to be staj'ed. This
committee was subsequently superseded by another, which
after some delay reported that they were satisfied that the
towns had complied to the utmost of their ability with the
requisitions made on them, and that they were incapable of

20i GAPS COD.

complying therewith any farther. And the conunittoe
having also reported that in their opinion all deficiencies of
beef or men due from any of the towns in the county of
Barnstable should be abated and all fines due from them be
remitted, a resolve to that effect was passed by the general
court. The last requisition for recruits for the army, of
which there is record, was made March 7, 1782, which was
s call for 1500 men, 36 for Barnstable county, to make up
for the deficiency of the quota of Massachusetts line, caused
by mortality and other casualties. Still other evidence
appears of the total exhaustion of the resources of the
several towns. March 12, upon the petition of the
inhabitants of Eastham, Harwich and Yarmouth, and Juno
23, upon a similar petition of Barnstable, Sandwich and
Falmouth, setting forth their extreme poverty and utter
inability to pay their taxes at present, the state treasurer
was directed to recall the executions issued and to stay in
future, until further ordered, demands for two-thirds ox
the taxes.

One of the last acts of the general court relative to the
war in connection with this county was passed Oct. 9, by
which ofiicers were directed "to cause the shores of their
respective towns and the vessels in the harboi's to be
examined, that if any cattle or sheep are found which, from
their local situation or other apparent circumstances, are
likely to fall into the hands of the enemy, they may be
driven to places of safety." Our coast was thoroughly
beleaguered. The hostile movements on the south shore, in
Tarpaulin Cove as the base of operations of the British
fleet, were supplemented by a similar condition of affairs at
the other extreme of the county, Provincetown being the
place of rendezvous. The opei*ations extended from
Cape Cod harbor, all along the coast, to PljTiiouth. The

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. W^

small crafts, which sometimes ventured to skirt the coast,
bringing supplies from Boston, or to search the fishing
grounds, sometimes succeeded in eluding the vigilance of
the enemy's ships, and were treated with as much leniency
as could be exi)ected in a time of war. Lieutenant, after-
wards tlie famous Admiral, Nelson, was this year in Cape
Cod bay in command of his majesty's ship Albemarle, and
gave up to its owner a vessel fi*om Plymouth which he had
captured.*

From the fact that the fleet in Provincetown harbor was
controlled by English oflBcers, instead of refugee American
loyalists, the relations between them and the inhabitants was
of a far more amicable chai*acter than those which subsisted
between the parties at FaUuoutli and vicinity. The officers
of the English ships often visited the people and cultivated
their acquaintance. They sometimes attended church, and
the chaplains not unfrequently preached. Dr. Wm. Thayer^
a surgeon of an English man-of-war, married a young lady
of Truro, left the service, and practised medicine, and
reared a family there. f But there were not enough of such
instances to greatly mitigate the existing condition of
hardship and hostility. They were simply tiie "touches of
nature" which are said to make "the whole world kin," and
which sprang from the origin of both as members of the
same great English-speaking race.

The endurance and constancy of the people, as exemplified
by these years of suffering and privation, was at length to

''Hou. Wm. T. Davis of Plymouth has in his possession the original
doeiiineiit of which the following: is a copy:

T))e:*e are to certify that I took the seiiooner Harmony, Nathaniel
Carver, master, !)eloiipinp to Plymouth, hut on account of his good
servicer, have ^iveii him up his vessel a^in.

Dated ou board His Majesty's ship Albemarle, 17th August. 1782, in
Boston Bay. Horatio ^buoit.

tRieh*s Truro.

^206 CAPE COD.

be crowned by success. Early in ITSS, the negotiations
which had been pending for more than a year were concluded,
and to the inexpressible joy of the i)eople, the cessation of
hostilities was proclaimed by Gren. Washington, on the 19th
day of April, just eight years from the day when Lord
Percy started out on his illnstarred visit to Concord and
Lexington. The definitive treaty was signed Sept. 3,
following.

The part taken by Cape Cod in this great struggle for
freedom, both in respect to leadership and tlie co-operation
of the people, will be seen to have been of the most
important character. The exertions of the latter in the
tield, as sketched in the preceding pages, were only limited
fey their capacity and power of endurance. They contri-
buted to the common cause not only almost the last dollar
«nd the last man, but the political T^-isdom and undeviating
constancy of the elder Otis, and the matchless and inspiring
eloquence of the younger of the name ; the tireless energy
and activity of Dr. Nathaniel Freeman ; the military skill,
enterprise and daring of Gens. Braddock Dimmick and
Joseph Otis, men whose fame was not confined by local
bounds. Xor should we forget to render again a just
tribute to the services of one of Cape Cod blood and origin,
whose field of operations was in the city of New York, that
matchless agitator and untiring patriot, Capt. Isaac Sears.

The bitter and ghastly realities of the war have with
sufficient minuteness and detail been enlarged upon in the
foregoing relation, but there was mingled with these hard
experiences enough of daring and adventure to impart some-
what of the glow of romance to the narrative of the times.
The men of the Cape, not a few of them, were brought
in contact with some of the best remembered and most
talked of events of that eight years of agony and exeition.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 207

Ebenezcr Scars, a soldier of Yarmouth, stood guaixJ over
Major Andre the night before his execution, and, like all
who came in contact with that gallant and accomplished
officer, was deeply touched by his noble l>earing and his
unhappy fate.

Benjamin Collins, of Truro, belonged to the crew of the
Ixu-ge that rowed Benedict Arnold on board the Vulture.
He was drugged and kept on board the frigate until he
learned Arnold had joined the enemy, when, fearing that he
also would be regarded as a traitor, he ran away to Canada,
and did not return home for forty-eight years, when he
spent a year in Truro and returned finally to his Canadian
home.*

During the year 1775, David Snow and son, aged 15
years, were fishing back of Cape Cod, when they were taken
by a privateer, and earned to Halifax. They were thence
transfeiTed to the Old Mill prison in England. They soon
gained the confidence of the officers, who granted them
many privileges. One day the young man found a file, and
this led to a scheme for recovering their liberty. They
arranged for a great party and frolic among the prisoners;
thirty-six of them were enlisted in a scheme for escape*
With the fiddling, began the double-shuflle of prison
brogans, which drowned the noise of the file upon the prison
bars. The festivities were kept up until the bar was
severed, leaving room for exit, when the thirty-six emerged,
undetected, from the prison yard. Knocking down the
sentinels, they were soon outside the walls, and directed
their steps to Plymouth harbor, fifteen miles distant. Before
davli^rht thev had reached the barter, and embarked on a
large scow, and were afioat on the English Channel. With
almost superhuman strength they boarded a small vessel,

♦Kich*.^ Truro.

i

208 CAPE COD.

captured it and set sail for the coast of France. Upon their
arrival they sold their prize, ^Ir. Snow and son retaining
$40 as their share of the proceeds. They gave themselves
up to the French government, were placed on board a cartel,
sent to America, and landed in Carolina. The war was
still raging, the coast was guarded, and their only hope of
getting home was by land, which they accomplished after
weeks of wearisome travel. Peace had in the meantime
been declared. From Boston they took passage in a vessel
for Provincetown. They continued on a boat their home-
ward journey. ^Ir. Snow ascertained where his wife, who
had for seven years mourned him as dead, was to be found,
and presented himself without ceremony. She fell in a
swoon, apparently dead, but recovering, walked home with
her husband. The boy, David, had now become a stalwart
man, but he, instead of going directly home, went first to a
neighbor's, without giving his name. The quick observation
of one of the bright-eyed girls of the family penetrated the
secret, and she said to her sister, ^' If that isn't David Snow,
it is his ghost ! " David got home before his parents, and
met them on the road, where neighbors and friends joyfully
welcomed them.*

Many Cape men found their way on board the privateers,
which were so numerous and serviceable to the American
cause, both in furnishing supplies and ammunition, and in
weakenmg the commerce of Great Britain. In the two
years, from 177G to 1778, nearly eight hundred pidzes were
captured, which, with their cargoes, were woilh not less
than twenty millions of dollars. It is stated on authority
that during the war quite two hundred thousand of tons of
British shipping were captured by our privateers, principally
manned by fishermen. These crafts did not always escape

•Rlch'8 Truro.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 209

with impunity, and when taken, their crews were consigned
to a punishment only a little worse than death — imprison-
ment on board the "Jersey" or in the ** Old jSIill." On
board the brig Kcsolution, a privateer taken by an English
vessel in 1780, were 13 men from Truro and Wellflect, who
were sent to the Old Mill Prison.* Obadiah Rich, then
or recently of Truro, was conmiander of the privateer brig
Intrepid, of four guns.

The records of the towns, during the period of the
Revolution, ever and anon contain words like these, after
tlie names of citizens : "" Died on board Jersey Prison Ship."
To those who have read the history of that

** fatal, that perfidious bark,
BuUt iu the eclipse and rigged with curses dark,**

no further description is required. It was an old sixty-
four gun-ship, which through age had become unfit for
actual service. It was stripped of spar and rigging and
ever}^ trace of ornament, and nothing remained but an old,
unsightly, rotten hulk. Its dark and filthy appearance
perfectly corresponded with the death and despair that
reigned aboard. It was moved about three-quarters of a
mile to the eastward of Brooklyn ferry, near a tide mill on
the Long Island shore. It is computed that not less than
eleven thousand American seamen perished in it. Here
wei*e promiscuously huddled the well and the sick, twelve
hundred together at times. Fever, small-pox, and all sorts
of infectious diseases prevailed. Insufficiently nourished
with the poorest of food, without medical aid to the sick,
what wonder that the pestilent hulk became a charnel-house,
a commitment to which was like a sentence of death. It is

*Their names were, Thomas Cobb, Isaac Snow, Joseph CroweU.
Ellas Gape, Stephen Youiijr, Jeremiah New<-oml), Atiuilla Rieh, Sam*l
Curtii*, Nathan Atwood, Eleazer Higgins, Elisha Jones, Joseph Pierce,
and Ezekiel Rich.

210 CAPE COD.

not known how many of our men perished here, as no
report of names was ever made; enough is ascertained to
leave a record which can never be effaced.*

The advent of peace brought to an end, except in
memory, the privations, sufferings and hoiTors of the la«t
seven years. "^Mien the rejoicings of grateful heaiis were
over, the people addressed themselves earnestly to the work
of repairing the wastes of war, reviving long suspended
industries, and pursuing, with all their accustomed ardor,
the arts and avocations of peace.

With the closing year of the War of Independence came
the close of mortal life of one who had infused into the
hearts of his countrymen those principles of resistance to
arbitrary power, of which independence was bora. James
Otis, Jr., standing in his doorway in Andover, was struck
l>y a flash of lightning and died from its effects May 23,
1783. He was boni in West Banistable, 1725, gi'aduated
at Harvard College in 1743, practised law in Barnstable and
Plymouth, and removed thence to Boston. He was
appointed advocate-general at the Couit of Admiralty,
which position he resigned rather than sustain the ai)i)lication
for the Writs of Assistance, which he ojiposed. His plea
on this occasion has already ))een adverted to as a
masterj^iece of eloquence and conclusive reasoning.
Hutchinson endeavors to account for his disaffection towards
the government, by the fact that his father was not appointed
chief justice of the Supreme court, to which ho aspired;
but the disinterestedness and patriotism of Otis need no
defence from such charges or insinuations. President John
Adams said, '"I have been young and now am old, and I
solemnly say, I have never known a man whose love of
country was more ardent or sincere, never one who suffered

^Sketch of Jersey PrUou Ship by Rev. Tho3. Audros.

JAMES OTIS.

THE nEVOLUTIONARY WAR. 211

SO much, never one whose services for any ton years of his
life were so impoi-tant and essential to the cause of his
countrv as those of Mr. Otis from 1760 to 1770." He was
elected a representative from Boston in 1761, opiX)sed the
stamf) act in 1765, for which next j^ear the government
negatived his election as speaker, to which he liad been
chosen. Ilis pamphlet entitled, *'llights of the Colonies
Vindicated," was considered in England a masterpiece of
<rood writini^ and conclusive reasoning. He was threatened
with an-est bv the <rovcrnment and for his severe strictures
upon the conduct of the commissioner of customs and of
the ministerial pai-ty, he was assailed in 1769 by the
commissioners and other ru£5ans, in a public room, and was
left covered with blood. The wound was not mortal, but
it was seen that his intellect had been shattered. At times
iiashes of his old genius and eloquence would electiify his
companions, to lie succeeded by incongruous utterances,

** Like swuet boUs Jaugled,
Harsh and out of tune."

In this manner he lived on until the elements of nature set
free a gigantic intellect, clouded and shattered in its mortal
frame, on the year in which the liberties of his country had
been acknowledged by the British nation.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1776-1783.

1776. Feb., Traur^port ship Friendship, Capt. Jame^ Holmes, was oast
ashore back of Cape Cod.— A sloop loaded with English goods, household
furniture, etc., sailed from Boston to Halifax **with sundry Tories'*
and a large number of women and children, some of whom were siok
of small-pox, was oast ashore at Provincetown, the last of Maroh. A
committee was sent to prevent the escape of the passengers and orew
and secure the cargo. The men were ordered to Boston for triaL—

212 CAPE COD.

April 5, the committee of Falmouth petitioned for a guard of
soldiers to be placed ^'on the Neok,** of that town.— The courts of the
county were, by «peoial aot, postponed from May to October, on
account of the prevaleuoe of small-pox.— The continental congress
haring recommended the encouragement of the manufacture of salt,
the general court also recommended to the inhabitants of the seaport
towns to use their utmost endeavors to attain this end.— May 1, the
council voted: ** Whereas, it is represented to this court th:it a
navigable canal may, without much difficulty, be cut through the
Isthmus which separates Buzzard's Bay and Barnstable Bay, whereby
the hazardous navigation around Cape Cod, both by reason of the
enemy and the shoals, may be prevented, and a safe communication
between this colony and the Southern colonies be so far secured:
Therefore, be it resolved, that James Bowdoin and Wm. Seaver,
Esquires, with such as the House shall Join, or a major part of them,
be a committee to repair to the town of Sandwich and view the
premises, and determine whether the cutting of the aforesaid be
practicable; and they are hereby authorized to employ any necessary
assistance of surveyors and engineers for the purpose." Col. Freeman,
Brig. Gk>df rey and Mr. Cushiug were Joined on the part of the House.

1777. This year the brig Wilkes was cast away on the back side of
the Cape, in Ea^tham, and was pillaged by some parties on shore.
The town held a meeting and api>ointed a committee to endeavor to
bring the offenders to Justice.— Aug. 17, the board of war was
requested to furnish field pieces and ammunition for the defence of
Truro, and it was ordered that a company be raised in Truro and
adjoining towns to be constantly in practice, and be ready at all
times to prevent all intercourse with the British men-of-war in Cai>e
Cod harbor or elsewhere, as well as for protection.

1778. Mar. 23, regular session of the Courts suspended, so many
officers. Justices, etc., being engaged in military and other operations
for the pul)lic defence.— Small-pox raged this year in Sandwich, and
also carried off lar^e numbers of the native Indians of Yarmouth. —
Barnstable was agitated by the action of the provincial a^s^embly,
which put on record aspersions upon the patriotism of the town's
representative, Edward Bacon, Esq. This quarrel had mn(^h to do with
the unfortunate record of the town on the Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Bacon was vindicated by his townsmen, and subse(iueutly restored
most fully to the public confidence.

17TD. Committees were chosen by the towns to repnilate the prices
of necessaries of life and prevent extortion.— Ship America, with
Capt. Wm. Doane and twenty-two others of Well fleet, was lost at sea.

1780. By a special act of the legislature, Joseph Otis and David
Thacher, Esquires, were authorized to license Otis Loring of Barnsta-
ble to keep an inn ; the reason assigned for this unusual proceedins:
being **for the better accommodation for the courts of Justice."—

CHRONOLOGY OF ETEHTS. SIS

Mav 19, occurred the "dark dm^," an event which earned mucb
•pecnlation among the learned, aa well a« the unlettered and aup o r atl -

im. An act puttied to prevent damage to NobucusRet meadow* in
Tarmouth.— All the town* were enjta^red In inefTectual efforta to
procure thetr quota of beer for the army.— The militia was thla jear
reorpiulzed, cou«equFuI upon the Hdo])tiou of the Constitution, and
the perMiiiiiel was aa foUowa: Brl|;.-Oen., KathaiiEel Freeman of
Sandwich, who held office for twelve yeari auoceedlng. Brigade Uajor
and Insjtector, Xathauiel Frcemau, Jr., who helJ office for tixteen
veara. Flmt Re^ment— Tol. Enoch Hallet, Tnrmoutb, realgned ITVOl
LC-Col. Joseph Dimmlck, Falmouth, promoted Major In 17W, Brig,-
Gen., inu. Major, Micah Chapman, Yarmouth, succeeded ITVO. Adjn-
faut, Thomaa Thacher, Tarmouth, racoeeded 1790. Secoud Regiment
— CoL Benj. Godfrey, Chatham, realgued 1T90. Lt.-Cot Job Crook«r.
Chatham, aucceeded ITOO. Major, Wm. Qage, Harwich, Adjutant,
Joseph Paine, Chatham, succeeded ITSO.

ITBt. Rev. Mr. HilUard dismissed from East church, Barnstable,
and Rev. John Miller appointed hla auoceasor.— Rev. Thoinaa Boby
called to ptutorate of ohui'ch in Cbatbam.

\\

CHAPTER XIII.

FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE WAR OF 1812-16.

Rattflcattou of Coa«tltutiou of th« United States— First BepreMoto-
tWe in CongreM from tli« Cape— lucorporntlon of Deuai», Orleans
ftnd Brewster— Rise Aud growtli of Methodism on (be Cape-
Manufacture of Salt— Wreck of Salem Sbips ou Peolced Hill Bars
-Canal iicrosB the Cape— Snnrlwfch AotKHeiny liii'fir[)Or»teii— Dr.
Bamuel West- HaritlmeAohleTementtfof Cape(;aptaluii,£l*eueier
Sears, Jotaii Keuriek, Elijah Cobb— Robespierre- Bar bary PiraWs
— Commercial Beetrictious, Embargo acts, etti.

T cannot be deemed sti-ange that such a .
aevere struggle as that of the Revolutionatj-
War should have been succeeded by a seaauu
of comparatiTe exhaustion. But in a little
■^^;^VJj^C^ time the old energy and resolution of the
"^^^ people returned, and they counnenccd anew
apon a career of activity and devclojimcnt. But the want
of uniform commercial regulations, and a safe and conven-
ient currency, and the heavy debt iuipending over them,
were the sources of embarrassments and hindrances to
gro^vth and the prosperity of trade. The public mind was
soon brought to see the need of a new bond of union
between the different states.

In 1787, the constitution of the United States having
been adopted by the general convention, the several states
held conventions to ratify or reject the game. The convention
for JIassachusetts was an able body, and the debates were
animated and of marl^ed ability. Tlie vote on the ratificatiou
was quite close, but the preponderance of sentiment in thi»

FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE WAR OF IBVi^lB. 215

county was strongly in favor of the adoption of the con-
stitution, as will be seen by the record of the vote of the
members, as follows: Yeas, Shearja.shub Bourne, of
Barnstable; David Thacher and Jonathan Howes, of
Yarmouth; Solomon Freeman and Kimbal Clark of
Harwich; Levi Whitman of Wellfleet; Joseph Palmer, of
Falmouth. Nays, Thomas Smith and Thomas Xye, of
Sandwich. Shearjashub Bourne was chosen representative
to the second congress from the district which comprised
the county of Barnstable, having received the unanimous
vote of tliis county for that office, which he faithfully filled
for two successive terms.

From this time, for a number of years, there were no
questions before the people demanding their absorbing
attention, apait from the concerns of the geneml public.
In 1794, by a division of Yarmouth, Dexxis was incor-
porated as a separate township. The separation of Dennis
from the mother town was effected without controversy an.d
with the cordial assent of both sections. It was done with
the design of subserving the convenience of the citizens in
the transaction of their local business. As a matter of ^-t,
they had for many years i)receding acted as separate
communities. In tlie Revolutionary War, the East and
West parishes not onl}' levied their ministerial taxes, but
voted money and made regulations for raising troops and
carrying un the campaign, distinct from and with the assent
of the town, and the system worked so well that they were
led to continue it in relation to all municipal affairs. The
final action of the town on this matter was substantially
unanimous, and from that time to the present, the relations
of the two towns have been harmonious and fraternal. The
name given to the new town was that of a former beloved
pastor of the West parish, llev. Josiah Dennis.

216 CAPS COD.

Three years later, the town of Orleans was incorporated,
being set off from Eastham, of which it had heretofore
formed the South precinct. This separation was also
effected without serious controversy, or opposition from the
remainder of the town. The seceding portion did not take
the name, though it embraced the larger portion of the
population, of the mother town, and it retained the original
records. None of the contemporary documents throw light
upon the reason for assuming the name by which it has
since been known.

The separation of the North parish of Harwich from that
town, in 1803, and its incorporation by the name of
Brewster, was not effected without bitter controveray, the
results of which continued for many years thereafter. The
distance between the villages on the north and south sides
of the Cape would naturally suggest the ultimate division of
the township; but it is probable that matters of political
expediency hastened the movement, and led to opposition in
the new township, which under other circumstances it would
not have encountered. There was a strong remonstrance
against the division, signed by a considerable number of
citizens of the North parish, as well as those from the South
{Mirish, and their representations led to the inseition of the
incongruous provision into the act of incorporation, permit-
ting such of them as were living in the North parish,
** together with such widows as live therein, and shall request
it, have liberty to remain, with their families and estates to
the town of Harwich, by leaving their names in the oflSce of
the secretaiy of this commonwealth at any time within two
years from the act of incoi'poration, certifying that such is
their intention." A paper, containing the names of 65
citizens, two of them widows, was tiled with the town clerk
of Harwich and in the office of the secretary of the

FBOM THE PEACE OF 17BS TO THE WAR OF lOB-lft. S17

•commonwealth, the subsequent year, in which they express
their intention of availing themselves of the provisions of
this section of the act of incorporation. It can readily be
seen that such an anomalous provision as this was liable to
lead to great confusion of authority and endless difficulties
and complications while it remained in existence, and kept
up the antagonism growing out of the division long after
the period, which, under ordinary circumstances, would
have subsided. In the division, the old name of the
township was conceded to the younger portion in point of
time of settlement, and the new town was given the name
of the old Pilgrim pastor, who was a near and dear friend
of ihotie who first occupied this region.

The changing {)hases of the religious sentiments of a
people are always interesting and instructive subjects of
inquiry and speculation. The ** Great Awakening" of 1725-
45, with the Whitefield episode, was a breaking away from
tlie formalism of the churches, which had tl^cmsetves
originated in a protest against the ceremonious forms and
ritualism of the Established church of England. In the
latter part of the century the Methodists began to attract
the more earnest and demonstrative portion of the people,
by their fervid and impassioned preaching. These sectaries
did not meet the approval of the learned and refined, but
possessed great fascination for men of ardent natures and
warm susceptibilities. Their meetings were held in dwellings
and out-houses, the ordinary places of assembling being
denied to them. Men and women came from great distances
and tarried long, to listen to the earnest words of the
uncultured preachei-s, who, disdaining the rules of rhetoric
or the conventionalities of the church organizations, went
right home to the subject, esteeming the soul of the rude
fisherman or common sailor of as much account as the most

318 CAPE COD.

•

important man in the parish. It was what Southey styled
** Religion in earnest.'' Such was the preaching of the*
first Methodists — a sect which, from humhie beginnings, has
since become great, powerful and influential, with endowed
seminaries, gifted preachers, and professors learned in all
the lore of the schools. Jesse Lee commenced his preaching
in Boston, where he formed a society in 1792, and another
society was gathered in Lynn about the same time. From
Boston, small numbers of these people found their way to
the Cape. Capt. Wm. Humbert, a local preacher, while
lying windbound in Provincetown harbor, preaurhed in that
place some time in the year 1793. Kev. Joseph Snelling
and Rev. Hawkins also soon after preached in that town and
in Truro and Wellfleet. Mr. Snelling was really the pioneer
of Methodi:5m in the county, where he was stationed for
about twenty veara. The first Methodist nieetiii«:-house on
the Cape and the second one in the country, was built in
Truro, in 1794. It was at first intended to build in
Provincetown, but the persecution there was so intense that
the project was postponed. The next year the plan of
building in Provincetown was revived and the meeting-
house was erected. The society i)urchased a frame and
landed it on shore to be raised the next day; but during
the night it was carried off and cut up, so tli:it nothing
remained but chips. The minister. Rev. Geo. Cannon, was
tarred and feathered in effigy, and the mob threatened to
subject his person to the same treatment. Nothing daunted
nor discouraged, these earnest men procured another frame,
and succeeded in accomplishing their object. Subsequently^
Rev. Mr. Lee came down from Boston, and the offenders
were exposed to a withering excoriation at his hands. In
179G, there were but two preachers of the denomination
stationed on the Cape — Mr. Snelling, who ofiiciated m

FROM THE PEACE OP 1783 TO THE WAK OF 1812-15. 21»

Provinceto^\'n, Truro and Wellfleet ; and Rev. Joshua HalU
in Sandwich. Methodism was introduced into Bamstable-
in 1808, where the first preacher was threatened by the
mob. Dr. Francis Weeks, one of the first of the men of
social influence in the county to embrace its tenets, incul-
cated the doctrine at Falmouth, the same year. From that
time onward the spread of the denomination has been steady,
until it now embraces bj' far the largest number of worship^
pers of any Christian denomination in the country.*

It required nearl}'' a half century to extinguish the
l^rejudice and bitterness with which this sect was regarded,,
by a portion of the community, who adhered to the old
order of things. The Baptists were fire^t gathered in this
county in a church organization, at Harwich in 175G. Rev.
Elisha Paine was their pastor, and he was succeeded by Rev.
Richard Chase. They cannot be considered as seccders from
the existing churc^hes, in any regard, except in their views of
imuiersicm as a requisite in the baptismal rite. In fact, they
were, if anj-thing, more congregational than the Congrega-
tionalists themselves. With these few exceptions, if such they
may l>e regarded, and those of the Quaker societies of the
county, the Methodist movement was the first great schism
from the "standing order** since the settlement of the
county ; and this circumstance accounts, in some degree, for
the bitterness and distrust with which the new movement
was viewed by the generation which first came in contact
with the disciples of this faith.

The granting of letters patent in 1799, to Mr. John Sears,,
for the manufacture of salt by solar evaporation, after years
of effort and experiment, renders this a convenient and
suitable occasion to reWew the history of this once important
industry. During the Revolutionary war, and afterwards,,

*Rieh*8 Truro. Lllc of Rev. Joseph SuelUng.

this prime necessaiy of life waa scarce and high, and mcny
attempts were made to manufacture it from sea water. Bnt
the salt obtained waa impure, and but little progress was
made in the business. Mr. Sears waa the first person who
was completely successful in procuring pure marine salt by
the rays of the sun alone, without the aid of artificial heat.
The ReT. Dr. James Freeman, in 1802, wrote a quite fuU
acoouQt of Mr. Sears's experiments, derived partly from
data fumbhed by the tatter. It appears that as early as
1776, "this ingenioos seaman constructed a vat a hundred
feet long and ten feet wide. Bafters were fixed over it, and
shatters were contrived to move up and down, Utat the vat

might be covered when it rained and exposed to the heat of
the sun in fair weather. By this f^imple invention the rain
was excluded, the water in the vut was gradually exhaled,
and at length, to his inexpressible ]'oy, Capt. Sears peiteived
the salt beginning to ci^-stallize. His works, however, were
leaky, and he bad such bad success in his operations the first
year that he was unable to obtain more than eight bushels of
salt. He was exposed besides to the vidicule of his neigh-
bors, who scoffed at his invention, styling it 'Sears's Folly.'

FROM THE PEACE OF 1788 TO THE WAR OF 1812-lA. 2X1

**Cupt. Sears persevered. The second }*ear the works
were made tight ; and thirty bushels of salt were obtained.
In this and the third }xar the salt water was poured into the
vat from buckets ; a tedious and painful operation.

"^In the fouilh }*ear a pump was introduced; it was
worked by hand, which was still great labor. This method
of conveying salt water into the vat continued to be
practised till tlie year 1785, when at the suggestion of Major
Katlianiel Freeman of Harwich, who had seen at a distance
a similar construction, Capt. Sears contrived a pump to be
worked by the wind. By this lucky invention the labor
was greatly abridged."

Covers to move on shives, that is, rollers or small wheels,
such as are contained in the blocks of ships, were invented
b^' ]Mr. Reuben Sears, a carpenter of Harwich, in 1793.
These covers are shaped like the roof of a barn, or what is
commonly styled a gable roof. The shive, which is placed
under the cover, rolls over a narrow piece of plank fixed
across the vat, and the motion is farther facilitated by shives
moving on each side of the same slip of plank horizontally,
the first mentioned shive moving perpendicularly. When
the cover is drawn off, which can be done without a great
exertion of strength, it rests on a frame placed by the side
of the vat.

In 1798, Mr. Hattil Kelley of Dennis contrived another
mode of constructing the vats and moving the covers. '*By
Mr. Sears they are placed in a string, or direct line ; but by
'Mr. Kelley they are placed like the squares of a chess*
board. Two black scjuares will represent the first and
second vats. At the point where their angles touch is fixed
a crane, consisting of a perpendicular beam, supporting a
horizontal beam. From each half of the last beam is
suspended a cover shaped like a hipped roof ; that is, a roof

SB CAPE COD.

composed of four triangles, rising fi'om each of the four sides,
•and meeting in a point at the top. The thiixl vat will be
represented by the white square, the angle of which touches
it. At this point is iixcd a second crane ; and so the vats
and cranes are continued to any extent the proprietor chooses.
By these cranes the covers are moved with great ease. It
is a subject of dispute which is the best invention, Sears's
or Kelley's ; experience only can decide that point."

Capt. Sears was greatly assisted in the invention and
improvement of the works by Capt. William Crowell, Capt.
Christopher Crowell and Capt. Edward Sears of Dennis.
These persons resigning to him their right and title to the
invention, he applied to the national government for a
patent, which he obtained in 1799.

''Such is the account which Capt. Sears himself gives. It
is alleged by several persons, that he has not made a new
discovery and consequently has no right to a patent. But
whatever may be thought of Capt. Sears*s merit as an
inventor, there can be no dispute that he is entitled to
applause for first introducing an impoitant manufacture, by
which ho has contributed greatly to the prosiperity of the
village in which he resides, and to that of the country at
large."

Incidental to this industry the manufacture of the
Glauber-salts, once greatly esteemed in medical practice,
sprang up and became quite an important adjunct of this
business. Tliis product was effected by boiling, and was
considered of an excellent quality.

The value and extent of the salt business was for many
yeai*s of great importance, to the county of Barnstable
particularly. In 1801 there were 121,313 feet of works in
the county, of which 50,430 were in Dennis and Yarmouth ;
these works being calculated to manufacture aI)out 44,000

FROM THE PEACE OP 1788 TO THE WAIl OF 181^15. 22S

bushels of salt. The capital invested in the business, in
the year 1808, was nearly half a million of dollars. In
1830, about 600,000 bushels M'ere luanufac-tured by this
process in Massachusetts alone, and a still larjrcr quantity
in Maine. In 1832, the countj'^ of Barnstable had 1,425,500
feet of vats, producing 358,250 bushels, but in 1834, the
Inisiness was checked in consequence of the reduction of
the duty. The policy of the general goveniment was not
whollj'' consistent or friendly in its aspect towards this
industiy ; sometimes encouraging it by placing a high duty
on imported salt, and at other times reducing the impost to
a low figure. The bounty offered by the state in the
infancy of the business was afterwards withdrawn, the
profits being found to be larger than that of other local
industries. The clevelopment of the salt springs in New
York and other places also tended to make the business less
important and profitable, and for the last twenty-five yean
no new works have been erected, those still existing at that
time being kept up by repairs, and operated with moderate
success; but at the time of writing this narrative (1884)
hardly any works are standing as monuments of a once
flourishing industrj.*

One by one, as the century closed, the leading actora of
the Revolutionary period lK5gan to fall by the wayside.
In 1799, Daniel Da\is departed this life, at the age of 85
years, 6 months. He was an ardent and uncompromising
Whig, and was closely identified with the espousera of
the patriot cause in the province. He was later in life chief
justice of the court of Common Pleas, judge of Probate,
and held other prominent positions.

In 1800, Aug. 22, the county sustained a severe loss in
the death of Hon. Nathaniel Freeman, Jr., representative in

*0\<{ Yarmouth.

234 CAPE COD.

Congress from this district, at the early age of 34 years.
He was a classmate at Harvard of John Quincy Adams , and
divided the honors of the class ^dth ^Ir. Adams in the
graduation exercises. He embraced the profession of the
law, as his pursuit in life. At the age of 30 years, upon
the retirement of Hon. Shearsjashub Bourne, ho was chosen
that gentleman's successor in Congress, having previously
filled with honor for several years the position of brigade-
major on the staff of his father.

In 1801, David Thacher of Yarmouth departed this life.
He was 27 years in the house of representatives, and one
year in the senate from Barnstable county, -and judge of
the court of Common Pleas, and a member of the convention
to form a state constitution, and of that to ratify the fedeml
constitution. He was a leading character of the town
during the Revolutionary War, his judgment being sound,
and his sympathies on the side of his oppressed countrymen,,
though far from being an extremist in his political opinions ;
his cautious temperament causing him at times to excite the
distrust of the more ardent and impetuous patriots.

A memorable shipwreck occurred near Peaked Hill bars,
off Provincetown, in 1802. Three Salem ships, the Ulysses,
Brutus and Yolutia, sailed together from Salem on a
beautiful day in February, with valuable cargoes on board,
one of them bound for Leghorn, the other two for Bordeaux.
They encountered a sudden snow storm before reaching the
Cape, and the three were wrecked near one another on those
treacherous bars, then as now the terror of sailors. The
Brutus lost all but five of its crew, some twenty men;
the other two crews escaped with their lives. As an
illustration of the facilities for the spread of intelligence in
those days, it is stated that the account of those wrecks,
which occurred February 22, did not reach Salem until

FROM THE PEAC£ OF 17B3 TO THE WAR OF 1812-15. 225

March 4, following, and it was not until the 8th of March
that full intelligence was received there.

In 1804, a canal from Town Cove to Boat Meadow River,
nearly on the boundary line between Orleans and Eastham,
was dug by a companj' deriving its powers from the two
towns, but the project did not prove a success. The
legislature was petitioned for authority to create a lottery in
aid of the project, but no action was taken in that direction »
The route chosen was over the region through which Capt.
Southack sailed in 1718, when going to the scene of pirate
Bellamy's shipwreck.

By the incorporation of Sandwich Academy, in 1804, was
established an institution of learning in which the entire
county was interested, both in its patronage and dii'ection.
A gitmt of one half-township of six miles square, of
unappropriated land in the district of Maine, was made by
the legislature for the use of such academy in some town
of the county, on condition that $3000 be actually raised
and secured from other sources for the endowment of the
same. There was great rivalry among the towns and
villages of the Cape to secure the location of the institution
within their limits, but the citizens of Sandwich offered the
most substantial inducements, — the chief of them being the
pre-eminent qualifications of the proposed principal. Rev.
Jonathan Burr — and the academy was located there. The
trustees named in the act of incorporation were eighteen in
number, eight from Sandwich and ten from other towns,
viz: Rev. Jonathan Burr, Hon. Nathaniel Freeman, Dr.
Jonathan Leonard, Wendall Davis, Esq., James Freeman,^
Esq., Mr. \Vm. Fessenden, Mr. Stephen Basse tt, Mr. TVm.
Bodfish, Sandwich; Rev. Henry Lincoln, Thomas Jones,.
Esq., Falmouth; Thomas Thacher, Esq., Yarmouth; Rev.
Levi 'Whitman, AVellfleet ; Rev. Oakes Shaw, David Soudder,

230 CAPE COD.

Esq., Barnstable; Rev. John Simpkins, Brewster; Iwichard
Sears, Esq., Chatham; Rev. Nathan Stone, Dennis; Rev.
Jude Damon, Truro. Hon. Nathaniel Fi^eeman was
president, and Mr. Wm. Fessenden, treasurer, of the
corporation for many years. For some time this academy
was a most prosperous and useful educational instinimentality.
But sectarian differences among the managers at last operated
to undermine the usefulness of the institution, so that
finally its management fell into control wholly local and
sectarian. The building and lot which it occupied have
recently l)een sold, and a new location sought, to which
whatever remains of the academy interest has l)cen trans-
ferred in connection with the Sandwich High school.

Sept. 24, 1807, died in Dartmouth, Mass., Rev. Samuel
West, D. D. He was bom in Yarmouth, March 3, 17H0, in
the southeasterly part of the town, near Swan Pond. His
father was Sackfield West, a man of humble fortunes, but
of strong mind, who often used to exhort the Indians in
their meeting-house near by. Samuel was early employed
in the pursuit of husbandrj'-, but discerning men discovering
his abilities, the means of education were procured for him,
and he <rraduutcd from Harvard College in 1751. "He
became noted for his metaphysical and controversial talents,
and was a thorouofh critic in Greek and Hebrew." He was
a zealous Whig during the Revolution, and wrote much of
a political character, and deciphered the letter of Dr.
Church, to the British ministry, which disclosed that noted
person's treason and duplicity. He was a member of the
convention which formed the constitution of Massachusetts,
and also of that which ratified the constitution of the United
States. He was an honorary member of the Academy of
Sciences at Philadelphia and at Boston. '^He was," says
Dr. Aldcn. "as remarkable for his mental powers as Dr.

FKOM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE WAR OF ISIIMS.

Samuel Johnson, the great biogi*apher and moralist. He
was supposed to have much resembled him in jx^rsonal
appeai*ance, and with the same litcrar}' advantages would,
unquestionably, have equalled him for reputation in the
learned world." His manners were very uncouth, and many
anecdotes are told of his conduct while engrossed in thought
or study, rendering him unconscious of the lapse of time
and oblivious of everything around him. On one occasion
he harnessed his horse to go to church, and, falling into a
reverie, took the steed by the bridle and led it all the way
there. He preached with great vigor and power, and
without the aid of notes. The origin of the family is
unknown. Dr. West had a brother, who was undis-
tinguished.*

The commercial and maritime interests of the country,
in which the i^eople of the Cape had borne so prominent a
part, were greatly imperilled by European complications.
Soon after the Revolutionary War the commerce of the
United States entered u|X)n a career of rapid expansion and
prosperity, which continued for nearly twenty years.
Maintaining a strict neutrality with the belligerents of
Europe, our people were enabled to enjoy the rich harvest
derived from the carrying trade of the nations engaged in
war. The people of the Cape were large sharers in this
prosperity, and many ample fortunes were made by our
enterprising shipmasters, who kept up the old-time reputation
of their class for energy and perseverance. It was
claimed, and the claim has not to the knowledge of the
writer been disputed, that the sloop "Stork," of Boston,
Capt. Ebenezer Sears, of Yarmouth, was the first craft that
carried the American flag east of the Cape of Good Hope.
The sloop of those days was not necessarily the small craft

^Old Tarmouth.

228 CAPE COD.

which passes under that classificatioii at the present day^
but was sometimes sqmire-riggedy with standing royal yard,
and capable of spreading large quantity of canvas. It
was frequently of two or three hundred tons capacity^
which in those days was regarded as a large vessel. There
were a number of these crafts sailing from Boston at the
beginning of the century, some of which were conunanded
by Barnstable county men.

In the opposite direction, during the year 1792, Capt.
John Kenrick, in the private armed vessel, Columbia
Bedivivia, having for a tender the sloop Lady Washington,
was the first American commander who circumnavigated the
globe. It was claimed for him that **he discovered the
Columbia River, and named it for his ship; sailed into
Nootka Sound, rigged his tender into a brig, gave the ship
in charge of his first lieutenant, Kobert Gray, ordered him
to enter the Columbia, and himself, in his little brig,
returned via the East Indies and the Cape of Good Hope."
Capt. Gray has been awarded the credit of the discovery of
the Columbia River, * but it is indisputable that it was Capt.
Kenrick's vessel, by his orders, which first entered the river>
while the captdin took his adventurous coui*se towards home.

Not long after this time, while Capt. Kenrick was exploring
seas unknown to his countrymen, another Cape shipmaster,
Capt. Elijah Cobb, of Brewster, was invoking justice of
the revolutionary government of France. His vessel had
been seized and its cargo appropriated by the French
authorities, at Brest, and, after a struggle, he had extracted
from the French oflicials a promise of reparation, but no
progress had been made in securing its perfoimance. It
was represented to him that the papers in the case had been
sent to Paris ; and, after securing certified copies thereof, to

•Am. Cyclopasdia, vol. V.

FROM THE PEACE OF 1788 TO THE WAR OF 1812-lS. 2»

Paris he went to further prosecute his suit for redress. He
arrived in that city in the midst of the bloodiest period of
that fearful drama, the recital of which, even now, sends a
thrill of horror through the civilized world. He was an
eye-witness to the execution of hundreds of persons by the
guillotine, of men, women, priests, civilians, of all agea
and conditions of life. These scenes did not deter him
from his pui*pose. He found the French officials to be
tricky and evasive, and finally they pretended to have lost
his papers and could not proceed. In this emergency he
had bethought him of appealing to Robespierre himself,
who, though hard-hearted and cruel, was not destitute of a
sense of justice and public honor. In response to an
appeal by letter from Capt. Cobb, representing himself as
an American citizen, who had been captured by a French
frigate on the high seas, and who desired an interview on
business, he received reply, of which the following is a
translation :

*" I will grant Citizen Cobb an interview tomorrow at ten
a. m. Robesfierbe/'

Capt. Cobb called at the appointed time. Sobespierre's
demeanor on this occasion was a model of courtesy and
decorum, and he little resembled the monster he is generally
pictured in contemporary history. Like Byi'on's pirate,

'* He was the mildest mannered man.
That ever scuttled ship or cut a throat.**

He heard Capt. Cobb to the end, then convei*sed with him in
very good English, and at the close told him to call at the
office in Rue St. Honorie, tell them who sent him there, and
direct them, at the risk of his displeasure, to a<ljust the
business upon which he called. Capt. Cobb did so, and at
once had his claim allowed by the obsequious official.
Before Capt. Cobb left Paris he witnessed the execution on

280 CAPE COD.

the guillotine of Rol>e8pierre himself.* Capt. Cobb was
destined to exi)erience other adventures of a thrilling nature
before returning home. He was some time a resident at
Hamburg, and during the succeeding war wits captured and
imprisoned by a British frigate. The shipmaster in those
daySy beside being a thorough navigator, was required,
before the advent of magnetic telegraphs, telephones and
&8t mails, to exercise the functions of supercargo and
merchant, being so remote from his o>vners and employers
that it was necessary to rely upon his own judgment and
discretion. These exigencies developed lirst-class ability in
many instances, and it was during this period that the
business reputation and sagacity of Cape shipmasters was at
the highest point.

Among the disadvantages attending the prosecution of
foreign commerce by Amencans, was the inadequacy of our
naval forces in distant waters. The United States was for
many years unable to claim respect for the flag or exact
protection for those sailing under it. Even in tlie Barbary
States, a tribute was required and enforced, and was submitted
to for many years, as the price of exemption from capture.
It seems strange at this day to record the fact, that in some
of the chuivhes of the Cape, in the early pail of this
century, it was not an unusual occurrence to take up a
contidbution of ransom money for captured American
sailors, or for tribute for those who were vovaffinor to the
Meditermncan and were liable to be overhauled by Algerine
cruisers. It was not until the war of 1812-15 had demon-
strated our naval strength, that the United States government
was enabled to send Commodore Decatur to Algiers, who
e:ffectually chastised these piratical collectors of tribute and
put an end to their extortions.

•Capt. Cobb's Autobiography, iu Yarmouth Register, May, 1878.

FROM THE PEACE OP 1T«3 TO THE WAR OF 1813-15. 231

In the complications which arose in Europe in the early
pait of the nineteenth century, it was difficult for the
United States to avoid misunderstandings with two jealous
and unreasonable rivals like Enjrland and Fiance. A<;ainst
England, especially, complaints were made of spoliations
and insults. The British Orders in Council, on one hand,
and the French Berlin and ^lilan decrees on the other, came
near extinguishing our commerce. Then, after other
ineffectual measures, came the Embargo act in 1807,
prohibiting intercourse with all foreign countries, thus
crushing out the remaining foi*eigu ti*ade which had escaped
annihilation at the hands of the two great Europcstn contest-
ants. It excited the fiercest political discu^^sion between the
Federalists . and Republicans (or Democrats,* as they were
derisively called by their opponents, and began to call
themselves.) The measure brought ruin to many with Imt
little good, however well meant. It was believed in the
New England states to be aimed directly at their prosperity.
They were certainlj^ the greatest sufferei-s. Their fishing
vessels were given up, and abandoned crafts of all kinds lay
unused at the wharves. Their crews, out of emplojTnent
and without the means of livelihood, swelled the volume of
public discontent. Petitions from all parts of the county
were sent to the President, to Congi'ess and to the state
legislature, deprecating the embargo, setting forth its
disastrous effects and pmying for relief. The restiveness
of the people was not restrained within the strict limits of
their legal rights. A vessel belonging to Brewster, which
had been fitted out to run the embai*go, was captured off the
Cape, l)y a sloojnof-war, and sent to Provincetown harbor.
The c;iptain communicated with the owners, a packet was
manned and the prize was boarded, retaken, and sailed for
Surinam. The U. S. marshal tried to investigate the affair.

'282 CAPK COD.

but was received in an unfriendly manner, and his efforts
proved ineffectual.

All these clamors and indications of popular disapproba-
tion with the results of the embargo were unavailing. Mr.
Jefferson continued to justify the measure. He had the
power, in certain contingencies, to suspend the act, but
refused to exercise it. The discontent increased. John
Quincy Adams, who, as a senator from Massachusetts, had
sustained the president in this measure, and who, in
consequence, was compelled to resign his position, his course
being disapproved by the legislature, at length informed the
president that this policy could be endured no longer, and
just before Mr. Jefferson retired from office, the Embargo
gave way to the Non-intercourse act, by which trade and
commerce with England and France was interdicted. But
little amelioration of the condition of affairs resulted from
this measure. Other causes of irritation were constantly
arising. The detention and search of American vessels and
the impressment of American seamen on board of British
men-of-war were of frequent occurrence, and the British
government studiously refused reparation or assuitmces of
discontinuance of the injurious practice. It was soon
apparent that the alternative was either submission or war.
The prospect, in any view, was most deplorable.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1784-1812.

1781 Aug. 8, Rev. Abram Williams of Saudwich died.— Mr. Cornelius
Crocker of Barnstable, tavern keeper, died, aged 80.

1785. Rev. Levi Wliltman settled over the Welllleet society. —An act
passed the legislature to protect Pocha beach, in Eastham.

1786. An act passed the legislature for the protection of Province-

CHRONOLOGY OP EVENTS. 28S

town harbor.— Hey. Caleb Upham of Truro died« and was succeeded
hj Rey. Jude Damon.

1787. Rev. Jonathan Burr suooeeded Mr. Williams in Sandwich.—
Mr. Elisiha Tupper, missionary to the Indians, died in Pocasset, aged
80.— -Dr. Abner Hersey died in Barnstable.

1788. Col. Enoch Hallet of Yarmouth, sheriff of the county, died.—
—Hon. Nymphas Marston of Barnstable died.— Rev. Enoch Eldredge
ordained pastor of First Baptist church in Barnstable (Hyannis).

1789. Rev. Josiah Mann of Falmouth died, and Rev. Henry Lincoln
«uc<>eeded him.— Barnstable offered a reward of 850 to any one who
would kill the wolf that infested the vicinity, if killed in town; if
elsewhere, 825.

1790. Sandwich offered a reward of $30 to any one who would kill the
wolf, catamount or tiger that infested this and the neighboring towns;
and it was ordered, that if, in the opinion of the committee, a general
muster of the inhabitants be necessary, every able-bodied man be
called upon to hunt him.

1791. Capt. Joshua Gray, of Revolutionary fame, died in Yarmouth.
— Rev. Isaiah Dnnster, pastor of North precinct of Harwich, died,
and was suc<»eeded by Rev. John Simpkins.

1792. The wolf continuing its ravages, a general muster of the
iiihaliitauts of t>audwich wiis ordered for its destruction.- Rev.
Nathan Underwood was settled over the Second precinct of Harwich.

1794. Rev. Edward Cheever of Eastham died.

1797. Ineffectual attempt was made to divide the town of Sandwich,
and make a separate township of Monument and Pocasset.

1708. Job Chase and others were incorporated, under the name of
The Baptist Religious Society of Harwich.

1800. The death of Gen. Washington was observed in Orleans by a
sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Bascom, which was afterwards pul>>
lished.

1802. Wellfleet voted ^* to repair the Indians' house in the north part
of the town so as to make it comfortable."— A Methodist church,
consisting of three persons, was organized in Welllleet.— Capt. David
Wood of Falmouth and four men died of yellow fever at Cape Fran-
-cois, Aug. 10.

1804. Ca)>t. Joshua Crowell of Falmouth and four men were lost in
Boston bay, by the capsizing of their vessel.

1807. Rev. Oakes Shaw, pastor of West Barnstable church, died
Feb. 11th, in the 47th year of his ministry.— Rev. Gideon Hawley of
Mashpee died. Out. 3.— Rev. Jonathan Bascom, pastor of Orleans
t^hurch, died March 8, after a ministry of 35 years.

1809. Methodist Episcopal church gathered in Falmouth through
the instrumentality of Rev. Erastus Otis.— Holmes Allen, councillor
At law, died in Barnstable.

1810. Gen. Joseph Otis, of Barnstable, died Sept. 23, aged 82.— It is

Si

CAPS COD.

recorded that n hatt viol was purrbnsert tbls year for the cliatr In
OrlenDS mcetlug-housp, thp ftivt Ini-tniinrat of miiiilo ever entployed
tbere.— Brew^Ie^ voted to retnourtmle Kgaiu^t the niipuiutmeut of
Edmrd O'Briirii &t iiovtniU:<litr of tlint towD, "he 1>elu([ a torelxuer.
uid. In tfap opiiiiou of lliu liilialilLiiuth, uii alieu."

1*11, Iieave va* grunted to Sumuel ITius ■^ud otbers of Satidvlcb
"to erect a dam uiid work^ of a wittou factory oil the£trciini between
tlie upper aud lonrcr poudf . at a place uear Wolf-trap Ne«k, so-cnlled."
— Hon. Ebenezer Bac-ou of Barnstable died.— Rev. Jamea Baruabj
was called to the pastorate of the Biiptliit churcti lu We«I Harwivh.

ssfcj^m

CHAFTER XrV.

WAR OF 1812-15.

Tbe Admiiiiitriitiou fori^d to declare War— Scut Imeut of tblB Conat]'
defliicd — Coupres^iDDU Greeu fupenieded liv Hon. Joha Reed —
Voti"!>for fiOTpruof In 1813 nod 181* — "Couuly CougrenB" endorse
tbe ndmiulstrotion— History mt right— Bom Dardmeut of Tml-
luoHlb. Iiy Brig Nimrod — Brltii<h Prlvat^-fr " Retaliation " captured
hjr Capt. Wei<tou JrukliiBaudcompaiitoiiii — Operations in Hyannto
Hnrliur— CajMs Ve««el4 captured lu Cape Cod Buy — CommunkM-
lUm with New York via Buzzards Bay— Adveuturou* trip to
Boftou of Cnptf. Mayo and Kuowl en— Tribute demanded of
Eastham, Breirtiter aud Orlean« — Orleaus refused, and retlsted
TClth force— Demoui»tratlon upon B ami table— Cape roeo In tbe
uaral forces and privateers- Peace restored.

• AR with Gi-cat Britain now became inevitable^
^The goTemment of that country adhered
\teiiaciuutily to ita jx>Iicy relating to neutrals,
K and American vessels coutiuued to be seized
' by British cruisers and condemned in
Britiiih admiralty courts. Early .in 1812,
Congress passed an act laying an embargo'
for ninety* days on all vessels within _the United States.
This was well understood to lie prcponitory to a declaration
of hostilities, an event for which the country was unprepared,
for which the government had no dct>ire, but which was
forced upon the reluctant Aladi^on by the 3'ounger element
of his supjxjrters, led by Clay, Calhoun and Lon-udes. The
formal <lecl»ration was made June 18, of that 3'ear. It ia
■well understood that the war party made the President'a

286 CAPE COD.

acquiesence in their policy the condition of their support for
his re-election. The Federalist leaders, especially those of
New England in general, and Massachusetts in particular,
had all along been most bitter in their denunciations of what
was styled by them, ^the timid and yielding policy of Mr.
Madison's administration;" they had demanded a more
determined and aggressive attitude; but when war was
declared, they evinced a bitter hostility to a measure which
they knew would prostrate the commercial interests of the
nation, and bring temporary disaster upon their peculiar
industries. They were partly in the right, and partly in
the wrong, in their position. Appreciating the national
weakness and deficiencies, our government had hesitated at
the taking of strong grounds ; but goaded by constant and
continued insults and outrages by Great Britain, had at
length been led to assume a more aggressive position. The
declaration was passed in the house, by a vote of 74 to 49,
and in the senate by 19 to 13, and was signed by the
President June 18, 1812. The reasons assigned in this
manifesto were : the impressment of American seamen by
the commanders of British ships of war; the British
doctrine and system of blockade; the orders in council;
and lastly, various depredations committed by British
subjects on the commerce of the United States. Five days
later the British government revoked its orders in council,
a step which, had it been taken a little before, would
doubtless have prevented hostilities at that time; but we
had no telegraphic cables, and war had begun before the
intelligence of this change of policy could reach this country.

If ever a war was justifiable, that of 1812-15 most
undeniably was, whatever criticism may fairly be made upon
the policy which preceded it. There probably would never
have been an adequate acknowledgement of our commercial

WAR OF 1812-15. 287

rights and of the respect due our flag, until an assertion
by force of our position as one of the nations of the earth.
It would doubtless have been better bad we never resorted
to such palliatives as non-intercourse and embargoes, by
which our vitality was sapped and our resources exhausted^
without any compensating advantages. The longer the final
decision was put off , the weaker was our position, and the
war party reasoned rightly, that as Great Britain was
determined to yield nothing unless under compulsion, the
sooner the struggle came, the better for the country.

The maritime interests of New England were for the time
destroyed. Our vessels lay rotting at the wharves, and our
men were out of employment. A powerful opposition
party at once sprang up, composed of those whose business
had been prostmted, and others who felt that the government
had managed our relations with Great Britain with a lack of
discretion, and had rushed finally into a war which we were
unprepared to wage with prospect of success.

Beyond the local and political contests, the earlier months
of the war in this portion of New England were uneventful.
Great Britain was at that time engaged in her tremendous
struggle with Napoleon, and gave not much attention or
thought to the American war. This afforded time, which
was not very well improved, to put our seacoast in a state
of defence. The operations of the enemy were not directed
to our waters until the following year, when the whole
coast of the United States was declared in a state of
blockade, with the exception of the fedeml states of New
England, a distinction not growing out of any understanding
or overtures proceeding from them, but obviously made
with the view on the part of the British government of
widening the breach between them and the portion of the
country most favorable to the war. It was a piece of strategy

288 CAPE COD.

which probably produced but little effect. The people of
New England were loyal to their country, however antag-
onistic to the policy of the government. Having but slight
participation in the events of the first years of the war, and
feeling keenly its deprivations and disasters to their business
interests, the unwonted number of her citizens who were at
home participated more than was usual in public affairs, and
the expressions of their discontent were frequent and
vehement. The citizens of Yarmouth, July 8, 1812, drafted *
a memoiial to the President, and appointed a committee to
correspond with other sections of the county, "to consult
for the general good and safety. '' Chatham expressed its
opposition to the war in a memorial to the President, in
which was expressed the ''abhorrence of the people to any
alliance with France." Other towns, though making no
formal avowal of their sentiments, were lukewarm, if not
hostile, in seconding the movements of the government.

The most bitter denunciations of the administration
policy came from the commercial class. Our representative
in Congress, Hon. Isaiah L. Green, who had voted for the
declaration, doing so, as he said at the time, with a full
consciousness that he was thereby imperilling his seat in the
national legislature, was obliged to withdraw from Congress
and give place to an opponent of the administration, Hon.
John Reed succeeding to the position. Partisan rancor and
personal hostility were carried to a great extreme, and the
citizens of this county formed no exception to this condition.
Perhaps the most coiTcct estimate of the political sentiments
of the people can be gained by a record of the votes cast
for the state officers in the spring of 1813, after the
declaration of war, and on the succeeding year. By this
table it will be learned what were the political proclivities
of each of the towns. The persons voted for in 1813 were

WAA OF 1822-15. 289

Caleb Strong, the Fedemlist, anti-war candidate, and Joseph
B. Vamum, administration, war candidate. The next j'ear,
Gov. Strong had for his opponent Mr. Dexter, also an
upholder of the war :

•

1814.

1818.

8trouR.

Dexter.

Stroug.

Varuum.

Provincctown,

88

59

55

12

Chatham,

114

29

95

29

Harwich,

104

49

115

70

Dennis,

2(J5

26

245

23

Barnstable,

176

261

168

240

Falmouth,

80

150

74

170

Sandwich,

152

180

144

157

Yarmouth,

245

23

265

23

Orleans,

21

101

41

103

Easthara,

53

31

73

18

Truro,

30

31

42

30

Wellfleet,

52

18

53

17

Brewster,

127

16

140

14

1507 974 1510 906

The foregoing figures make it apparent that there were
here a considerable numl^er of men of standing and influence
who upheld the national government, and approved its
policy, both in declaring war and in the method of conducting
hostilities. Delegates to a county congress assembled in the
summer of 1813 ; though not an official bod}', it voiced the
sentiments of the minority. They resolved that "It becomes
us, in imitation of the patriots of the Revolution, to unite
in the common cause of the countrj", patiently bearing every
evil, and cheerfullj'- submitting to those privations which are
neccssarilv incident to a state of war. AVe consider the
war in which we are engaged as just, necessary and unavoid-
able, and we will support the s:inie with our lives and

MO CAPS COD.

fortunes.'' Also, "^That the Hon. Isaiah L. Green, our
congressional representative , has done nobly, and desenrea
well of his country.'' ^That although the present chief
magistrate of this commonwealth is not the man of our
choice, yet his councils we will follow and his ordera
cheerfully obey, so far as are compatible with the spirit and
meaning of the Federal Constitution;" a qualification
sufficiently broad to cover all contingencies that might arise.
They also put on record this national sentiment : ^ But our
allegiance to the United States, and attachment to its
constitution we hold paramount to every other duty ;" also,
** We have the fullest confidence in the wisdom, firmness and
patriotism of the President and Congress, of whose doings
we cordially approve." That this was campaign talk, not
shared by a large majority of the voters, has already been
made apparent. But it misled a local historian to assert
that the national administration was sustained and that ** the
party which advocated war measui*es was politically ascendant
in this county."* No statement could be more untrue or
misleading, if the sentiments of the voting portion of the
population afforded any indication of the opinions of the
county. The undeniable facts, that Mr. Green was obliged
to relinquish his seat in Congress to an anti-war candidate,
and that Gov. Strong, a bitter opponent of Mr. Madison
and the war, was sustained by an overwhelmning majority
the two succeeding elections, indicate the trend of opinion
and sentiment in this county in the period under review.

The earlier campaigns of the war were can-ied on
languidly, and were, upon the whole, disastrous to the
American cause upon the land. The gallant achievements
of our navy alone relieved the operations of the year from

*Freeman*8 History of Cape Cod, vol. I, pages 507-S. Blake's Hist, of
Cape Cod.

WAR OF 1812-1&. 2il

disaster and humiliation. So far as our seacoast town^^ were
concerned, we were not subjected to alarms of hostile
invasions, but the loss of employment to our people, the
difficulty of obtaining the supplies for subsistence, and
consequent distress and dissatisfaction were everj'where
apparent.

In 1814, Great Britain, haWng been relieved for a time
of the pressure of a continental war, by the subjugation
and banishment of Xapoleon Bonaparte, was enabled to turn
her attention to affairs in America. A large fleet was sent
over, and operations were actively inaugurated on the coast
of ^lassachusetts, their place of rendezvous being in
Provincetown harbor, whence they sent out their tenders
and barges to the surrounding coasts.. Every harbor and
creek which was capable of the egi'ess of sailing crafts \vas
subject to a strict sunxillance, and hostile demonstrations
were made on the villages on the inside shores of the Cape.
C>n the south shore, as in the Revolutionary war, armed
vessels made threatening incursions upon the coast and
caused considerable alarm. Early in Januarj", 1814, three
boats from the British vessel Albion attempted to land at
'>Vood's Hole, but were driven off by a company of militia.
It was reported that several of the invaders were killed or
wounded.

Jan. 23, 1814, the town of Falmouth was excited by a
demonstration by H. B. M. brig Nimrod. A demand had
been made for several pieces of artillery, which had been
employed to annoy the British cruisers, and the Nantucket
packet sloop, which had been detained by the citizens,
believing its crew to be either friendly to the enemy or
neutral. The demand, so far as the cannon was concerned,
was refused. Capt. Weston Jenkins, who was in command
of the local militia, is reported to have tauntingly asked the

ZiQ CAPE COD.

British commander to **come on and get them.** A flag was
then sent b}' the commander of the Nimrod, giving two
hours in which to remove the women and children, at the
end of which time the bombardment was to commence. A
scene of confusion ensued, while the sick and non-
combatants were removed to places of safety. In the
meantime the neighboring militia came pouring into the
town. About noon the cannonade commenced and continued
until near nightfall, some guns l>eing fired after dark. A
demonstration of landing was made, but the determined
look of the militia in the entrenchments deterred the enemy
from the attempts In the moniing the brig sailed away,
after firing a few shots at the militia at Xobsque Point. No
casualties to life or limb were reported. The damage to
buildings and salt works was considemble. Eight 32 lbs.
balls were shot through one house.*

This repulse by no means released the town from anxiety
and immunity from the incursions of the British cruisers.
As in the Revolutionary War, thirty years before, they
hovered on ' the coast and committed repeated acts of
aggression upon the town. They were not, however,
permitted to do so, without frequent evidence of the fact
that the citizens were ready to wage an aggi'cssive, as well
as a defensive warfare. Oct., 1814, was signalized by a
daring and successful exploit, by Falmouth men under the
command of Capt. Weston Jenkins. The British privateer
Retaliation, Capt. Porter, had been active in annoying the
inhabitants of the town during the preceding months. Capt.
Jenkins, who was in command of the militarj' companj' of
the town, called for volunteers to capture the annoying
intruder. Thirty-two men offered their services. They

*The priucipal sufferers were Elijah Swift, Silas Jones. Thomas
Bourne, Job Hatch, Rev. Henry Lincoln, Sbubael Hatch, Jr., iu
damages to buildings aud salt works.— [Boston Ceutinei, Feb. 2.

WAR OF 1813-1&. 248

embarked on board of tlie little sloop **Two Friends,*' at
Wood's Hole; being becalmed, they rowed to Taqmulin
Cove, where the privateer laj- at anchor. Arrived within
three-fourths of a mile of the Retaliation, its gun was fired,
which Capt. Jenkins chose to consider as a signal to stop ;
and no sooner was anchor dropped than a boat put off from
the privateer with the captain and live men. Capt. Jenkins's
men, with two or three exceptions, kept out of sight until
the boat was alongside and had made fast ; then, at a signal
previously agreed to, twenty men rose up and pointed their
muskets into the boat, demanding a surrender, which was at
once made. Then, putting twelve men into the privateer
boat, they also got the sloop under way, boarded the
privateer and captured her without resistance. They
brought their prize into Falmouth, and its cargo, consisting
principally of plunder, was landed there. The privateer
had five guns, a crew of twelve men, and two American
prisoners.

Hyannis harbor, the only eligible roadstead on the
southerly shore of the Cape beside Wood's Hole, was the
scene of considerable excitement during the year 1814,
July 16, the shipping records report, **The privateer Yankee,
from a cruise, arrived at Hyannis Wednesday, landed
upwards of a hundred packages of dry goods, and would
proceed on to Bristol."* Landing of goods was sometimes
effected which did not find a record in the public prints.
Cargoes of wine, spirits, and Southern products, which had
run the blockade and had not been reported to the govern-
ment officers, were several times seized by the revenue
authorities, and condemned, f

The north, or bay shore of the Cape, was, as before

^Boston CentineL

i^Collector Greeu's Letter Book, in possession of Maj. S. B. Phinney.

2U CAPS COD.

remarked, strictly blockaded, the British fleet near Boston
harbor having undisputed control of Provincctown harbor
and its surrounding waters. Provincctown itself was nearly
depopulated. All intercourse with Boston from the Cape
was attended with extreme risk. Fishing and coasting
vessels were closely watched and confined to their waters,
where not unfrequently they were subject to attack and
destruction from the enemy. During June, launches from
the British ships captured in the bay the sloop Mariner,
Nye, of Sandwich, for Boston; schs. Betsey, Nickci'son;
Nightingale, Atkins ; Beauty, Holmes ; and the Fly, all of
Provincctown. They were liberated, after the captors had
taken out their cargoes, fish and oil. They also captured
and released sloop Experiment, of Truro, for Sandwich
from Boston. The sch. Two Friends, of Provincctown,
was taken off Gloucester by British privateer Shannon, and
sent to Nova Scotia. The sch. Victory, of Yarmouth, Capt.
Timothy Hallet, was captured while on a fishing voyage, by
H. B. M.* Frigate Leander. Capt. HrJlct, who was held a
prisoner on board the Victory, afterwards saved the frigate
from shipwreck, by warning the sailing master of his
dangerous proximity to the shoals ; and ho received therefor
an order on the governor at Halifax for his vessel, and a
safe conduct to his home for vessel and crew.*

Under the date of June 2d, 1814, is the following:
Arrived at Hyannis, sch. Kutuzoff, Capt. Alexander, 14
days from Savannah, with a full load of cotton and rice.
It was chased by an English privateer schooner, which
fired several shots at its adversary. The Kutuzoff was run
ashore, and the cargo immediately landed. A four-pounder
belonging to the prize-ship London Packet was on the
beach, and about 100 militia collected to repel the enemy

*01d Yarmouth.

WAR OF 1812-15. 215

had ho attempted to hind. The privateer sent one of its
boats with combustibles and set fire to the prize ship, but it
was extinguished without material injurj'.*

During that time and until the close of the war, a favorite
mode of communication with the cities was by means of
boats, and Boston harbor was so thoroughly blockaded, that
intercourse by water was more frequent with New York than
with the former city. "Watching their opportunity, large
fleets of whalcboats would sail to North Sandwich, to be
carted thence across Buzzard's Bay from that point of
dei>ai*ture, running near the shores as occasion required,
until they reached the port of their destination. The
expoi-ts were generally dried fish, or salted mackerel, and
sometimes salt, which were bartered for flour and other
necessaries of life. One person, at least, is known to have
exchanged a cargo, at the rate of a bushel of salt for a
barrel of flour. Men who had been commanders of firs1>-
class ships sometimes engaged in this business.

In the summer of 1814, Capt. Matthew H. Mayo and
Capt. Winslow L. Knowles left Eastham in a whaleboat
loaded with rye, and arrived safely in Boston. Purchasing
ailicles for domestic consumption and exchanging their boat
for one somewhat lai-ger, they started on their homeward
journey. When near the Gurnet they discovered a pink-
stem schooner at anchor, with five men on deck apparently
fishing. Suddenly a gun was discharged, and they not
stopping, another was also fii-ed, the shot falling near them,
when they hove to, and the schooner came up to their boat,
Capt. Ma^'o in the meantime throwing overboard his valuable
glass, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy.
They were taken on board of the schooner and conveyed to
the British man-of-war Spencer, where they were kept

*Boston Centiuel.

946 CAPE COD.

three days. Capt. Knowles was then permitted to go to
Boston to obtain $300, the price agreed upon for their
ransom, but was advised to give up the scheme. At the
end of seven days, Capt. Mayo was placed on the schooner
which captured him, as a pilot, with the British officers and
twenty men and ample armament, with orders to cruise in
the bay. They were soon after overtaken by a severe
northwest wind, and Capt. ]^Iayo advised them to take
shelter under Billingsgate Point, but when they acceded, he
purposely anchored in bad holding ground. He went
forward unobserved, and with his pen-knife, so cut the
cable, that it soon parted; then, by his advice, they
attempted to reach a harbor ten miles to the leeward. He
had previously picked the lock of the first officer's writing-
desk, and abstracted a pair of pistols, which he secreted
under his jacket. The schooner soon grounded on Eustham
flats, and the officers became suspicious ; but Capt. Mayo
assured them they had struck on the outward bar and would
soon drift over ; he advised them and the men to go below
80 that their numbers might not excite suspicion on shore.
He gave the men a gimlet with which they tapped a cask
of rum, and drank until they were intoxicated. The vessel
soon began to heel over as the tide ebbed, and the officers,
their suspicions being confirmed, ordered the men on deck
for resistance, but they could not come. Capt. !Mayo threw
overboard all the arms that were on deck, drew his
pistols and threatened to shoot any one who should advance.
He then went on shore, gave information of his position,
and the militia came and took possession of the vessel,
cargo and crew, who were confined in a )>arn on shore; but
they were soon allowed to escape, and, taking a boat, reached
the frigate in the bay. The U. S. marshal took possession
of the crew's arms and baff2:a<re, and the vessel was claimed

V*

WAR OF 1812^15. 247

by pai-ties in Duxbury, from whom it was cajiturcd, but
the authorities awarded it to Capt. ^layo, who afterwards
released it to the owners for §200. The British com-
mander dis|^tched a barge to the shore with a demand for
$200 for tlie prisoners' baggage and $1000 for desisting
from an invasion of the town, threatening to land with
sufficient force to bum the vessels, dwellings and salt works,
if the demand were not complied with in twenty-four hours.
The selectmen, as a committee of safety, visited the
flag-ship, and upon their recommendation the town paid the
$1200, taking a receipt with a written promise not to take
or destroy the property of the town of Eastham during the
war. This seems to have been a needless concession, as the
forces were sufficient to repel the landing of the British and
they would hardly have made an attempt. There was no
thickly settled village, and the salt works were scattered
over the town at some distance from the shore.

A demand was also made by the British commander upon
the people of Brewster for a contribution of $4000 for
immunity from invasion and destruction of property. A
meeting was held on Sunday, Sept. 18, at which the subject
was discussed, and committees appointed to consult with the
other towns in the vicinity, and also to visit H. B. M. ship
Sppncer, and make the best terms possible with the
commander. The meeting adjourned to the next day, when
the committee reported. The adjoining towns had sufficient
employment in attending to their own defence ; and the
British commander refused to abate a dollar of the $4000
demand, and they, therefore, felt obliged to give their
security for the sum. The committee's report was accepted
by a nearly unanimous vote, and measures taken to tax salt
works, buildings of all descriptions, and vessels owned in
town or frequenting or Ij'ing on the shores. The day 1)efore

248 CAPE COD.

the term of grace had expired the $4000 was paid, and a
receipt given, by which the British commander guaranteed
the safety of the s^alt works and the town ''during the present
war." Signed by Kichard Kaggctt, Captain. The payment
of the taxes for this contribution was in some cases resisted,
and legislation had to be resorted to in order to legalize the
proceedings. The inhabitants were severely criticised for
their action in this matter, but contended that as the general
government had left them in a defenceless condition, they
were impelled to do the best they could to avei-t the
destruction of the town.

A similar demand to that made upon the towns of
Eastham and Brewster was also made upon Orleans, with
the offer of a guarantee of safety and protection in case of
compliance. The demand and proft'or were immediately
rejected. Attempts were made by the enemy during the
fall to land, but thev were as often driven back. About the
middle of December, the British frigate Newcastle was
ashore near Orleans. It was necessary to throw overboard a
number of spai-s before the vessel was extricated from her
dangerous position. These the people on shore destroyed.
Dec. ly, a four-oared barge from the Newcastle entered
Orleans harbor and took possession of sch. Betsey, and
sloops Camel, Washington and Nancy. On board the
former were placed a midshipman and nine men ; two of
the vessels being aground, they were set on tire, but the
flames were extinguished b}^ the inhabitants. The Betsey
was got under way, and the midshipman being unacquainted
with the coast put the only American on board in charge of
the vessel, upon his promise to carry it to Provincctown ;
but he ran tao craft ashore on Yarmouth beach, where it was
recaptured by the inhabitants, and tlie crew made prisoners
and sent to Salem. The Camel arrived in Proviucetown,

WAR OF 1812-1&. 219

several unsuccessful attempts being made to recapture it.
A barge containing amis, with two men, drifted ashore in
Orleans, and the men gave themselves up as prisoners.*
During the operations the militia of the town repaired to
"Rock Harbor," the scene of the events, in considerable
force, and resisted the approach of the foe, in an engage-
ment, in which one or more of the enemy wei*e killed.
This skirmish was styled the ** Battle of Orleans," and sixty
years afterwards the participants, or their sui-viving widows,
obtained, under the act of Congress of March 3, 1855, and
a subsequent statute, wan*ants of 160 acres of public lands,
as a pension Iiount}', for their service in this affair.

Threatening demonstrations were, during the fall of 1814,
made upon the town of Barnstable. The militia was called
out and assistance sent for from the neighboring towns;
several companies were under arms there two or three days,
but the enemy did not make the attempt. The war party,
or friends of the administration, complained that the state
government was lukewarm and negligent of the safety of
our people. Collector Green, who, for the loss of his seat
in Congress in consequence of voting for a declaration of
war, had been recognized by President Madison by an
appointment as collector of customs at Barnstable, in his
correspondence with Gen. Dearborn, complains of the
action or non-action of the state authorities and suggests
measures for defence and the procurement of arms.f He
also addressed remonstrances on this point to the authorities
in Washington, who were unable to furnish the facilities
needed here. Capt. Simeon Kingman of Orleans also made
an ineffectual effort to obtain arms and equipments of the
state authorities.

♦Boston Ceutiuel, Dec. 2S, 1814.
fCoilei-tor GieeuV Letlf r Book.

250. CAPE COD.

The lack of sympathy in the objects of the war, although
it was professedly waged to vindicate the commercial and
maritime rights of the nation, prevented organization for
warlike enterprises in some of the towns, and embarrassed
the effoits to that end in the others. Thus the war measures
were languidly pursued, and the spirit, which actuated the-
fiU;hers of the Revolution in resistance to the mother
country, was not revived in the war of 1812-15. But there
were exceptions to this rule. Among the descendants of
the men of 1776-'83, and especially those who inherited the
adventurous instincts of the contemporaries of Paul Jones
and his associates, business considerations and political
influences could not obliterate the old desire to meet Great
Britain on the sea, where she had \)cen most aggressive and
defiant. The tishcrmcn resoited to the privateei*s and some
of them enlisted in the naval service. For j^ears after the
war, was suns: the sons: commemorative of the valor of our
tars, and of their aversion to British aggression, commencing i

"Ye Parliaments of Kii^lnnd, ye Lord-.? anil commons, too,
Cousider well what you*re almiit and what yon mean to do;
You're now at war with Yunkeex, I'm sure you'll rue the day.
You've roused the &oni of liberty in Xorth America."

The literary execution of these stanz:is was hardly up ta
their patriotism, but the latter could not be safely challenged.
Privateering, too, turned out a profitable business. Capt.
Keuben Rich of Wellfleet, who, with two others, fitted out a
vessel under a letter of marque, captured an East Indiaman
the first day out ; brought the piizc to Boston, and realized
$17,000 for his interest when ten days from port.* Four
men from Brewster were in the In*ig Reindeer of Boston,
Capt. Nathaniel Snow of Truro, commander. They fell in
with a fleet of East Indiamen bound to England, but owing
to the strength of the convoy did not attack. Subsequently

•Rich's Truro.

WAR OF 1813-16. 251

they captured six prizes, from which the}' took such part a&
they wished, and burned the others. Five men from
Eastham were hi privateer Brutus, Ca[>t. Austin, from
Boston. They, too, had a number of engagements and took
several prizes.* Capt. Winslow L. Knowlcs of £astham
engaged in this service with i^ccuniary success. Some of
the sailors of the Cape enlisted in the naval ]>ranch, in which
they did good sendee. John Cook of Eastham was
one of the crew of the flag-ship of Com. Peny in the battle
of Lake Erie. Two Harwich men were of the crew of U. S.
frigate Constitution, when it captured the British frigate
Guerriere.

The restoration of peace to Euro^^e led both the United
States and Great Britain to desire a termination of war,
which had almost wholly grown out of complications
originating in the great conflict of arms beyond the Atlantic ;
and after protracted negotiations, a treaty of peace waa
signed at Ghent, Dec. 24, 1815, on the imit of the United
States by Henry Cla3% John Quincy Adams, Jonathan
Russell, James A. Bayard and Albert Gallatin. Singu-
larly, nothing was said in the treaty about the impi-essment
of seamen, the only remaining subject of contention; bat
the practice was ever after discontinued by the British
commanders, in agreement with a tacit understanding with
the British commissioners. Peace at almost any price, short
of absolute surrender, was a welcome boon, and the results
of the war, on the whole, were favorable to the development
of the commercial and maritime interests, in which the
people of this county were almost whollj' engaged. The
prisoners from Dartmoor and Halifax, of which the county
had many, were released; those held hy our authorities

•Pratrs Eastham. Their nameK were Sam'l Freeman, Jr., Capt.
Nath'l Suow, Joseph Suow, Josiah Smith, Matthew H. Mayo.

vero sent home; the great military establishments vera
discontinued ; and the sailor, furmer, artisan and mechanic,
DO longer hami>ered in their pursuits by the presence of
armed soldiery, hailed with gladness the welcome advent of
Peace!

%

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1812-1815.

1812. Oct., Cougregattonal sooletj, Cbattiam, voted to enlnrge tbe
meetiiig-bouae aud iiicroiuit the number of pew.4. — Aii act passed by
the LegUlnture to iirolfct Ibe lolnter Hshery ot Proviiipptown,

ISIS. The Vint pariah, Sttudwioti, tu ISU, di>>mtM«d tbe pastor, Rer.
Ur. Burr, The sociHlj, by a very large majority, Toted lor tbe
dlamlssal, while ttie church auatpjned the pastor, by an equally lorje
TOte. The pastor brought autlou for hie ealary, and to decide whether
the church or the society uuutrolii-d the teuipurulilicii, L a., the fuiidd,
reoordi, etc. The Supreme court thin year sustained the soctety,
which retaiuud posseHHiou ot ttauM'. 15ir p«r»u»a Itiereupnu receded,
■ud formed the Catviiilstio t'ouiirc>[jt'iouiil society, retniuiujc Mr. Burr
for their pastor. Rct. Ezra S, Goodwlu succeeded Mr. llurr as pastor
of the t'iriit Cuugrejiiutiouul »oclety. Ttiis cuite serreil us n terit iu
subseqiii'iit at'tiniip ^on-iug out of the divi^ilnn lintw-eeu the Orthodox
and L'Dltartan Coiigregatioual bodtos in this state, which occurred
about this time, the preTtiiliiig party iu thi^t cu^e Iwiug ot the latter
faith.— March :!1, Rav. Caleb Holmes of Flrrt parish, Deuiii.i, died,
aged S3.

ISU. Iter. Joseph Haveu iuvlted to the First parish. Deuuls.— Nol>-
ipii->sett Pier Co. Iu same t^owii iiii-nriiomteil.

1S15. Welllleet MuuufacturlUK Co. iucurporutcd. n-ltb capital of
€6,000, for the purpose of mamifuclurl'ig cotlnii iiuil woolen yarn.—
ReT. jothsm Wati'vmauwaiidliimisi'ed'rom Riti't parUblii G:iru^tu1>le,
aud was succeeded by Rev. Oliver Iliiyward. — t<ci)t. 113, ii ^■eiit pale
swept over that part at the county coutlsiioiu to Burziird's Buy. The
tides were the hiithe^t ever before kuowu, e."c<'ewUu|r the .meuiom)>le
gale of 1C86. Tree* were uprooted, Kall-work« dci-Iroyed, vessels
dri tu fr m th ir moorii ? oi 1 lai ded hVli > I ii tl e ih le iid
ve/i^tation iu muny places de*trovril Hud the tide ri *• 11 iiilies
bighei itwullhi\ s^tpcov r tl etaie L »er I vuoulUtLipe
W win mi h l-n ev re mid de tr Pti\

CHAPTER XV.

FROM THE WAR OF 1812-15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION.

Industrial Rerival — Commercial Developmeut—Tbe Hereey BctAtfl
dirided — Breakwater constructed at By nnui«— Burning of the
Couutj Buildiuff— Xew Court House— Second Centennial Cal«-
braliou ut Barnntable — DestructiTe Gale of IMl — Friuclpal
LegUlatlre Eu act men ts— Obituary notices— Local events.

ROM the termination of hoetilities
between the UDited States and Great
kUritaiu, the industrial activity of the
people of Cape Cod again revired.
^Maniifuctures, dunng the cootinoanoe
ut the struggle, had heeo initiated
and pursued with some degree of vigor
and success, here as in other paiis of
the country, but before much capital
or effort had been expended, the reverses which overtook
this industry in all sections of the country deterred the
people of the Cape from entering largely into the bttsinesB.
The genius of our citizens was so largely of a maritime cast,
and their habit of lookiug to the sea and the counting-room
as the theatre of their efforts and exertions, has been bo
ingrained in their natures, that it has for a century been
found a difficult matter to divert their energies in the
direction of manufactures and the arts. Commerce and the
sailing of ships had their seasons of reverses and of success-
ful achievement, but from the close of the war of 1812-15

254 CAPE COD.

to the opening of the Southern Rebellion, may be counted
as the most memorable and satisfactory period in the
industrial development of Barnstable county. The
reputation of our ship-mastei*3 and merchants who were of
Cape Cod origin in the chief cities stood at the head of
the column in all business enterprises ^nth which they were
engaged. It is only necessary to recall such names as
Sturges, Bacon, Sears, Broolvs, Swift, Collins, Lombard,
Hallett, Nickerson, Kenrick, Baker, Crocker, and many
pthers, merchants and master-mariners of renown in Boston,
New York and Baltimore, to emphasize this assertion. It
may be justly said of them that they were the peers and
rivals of the most enterprising in the land, for at least half
a century, in which the United States and Great Britain
contended for the mastery of the sea. This period may,
therefore, be regarded as the most auspicious epoch in the
industrial history of Capo Cod, though its annals, in
jiccordance with the oft-quoted maxim, while prosperous,
were uneventful and unexciting. The narrative of events,
however, was not without many episodes of interest, and in
the succeeding pages these transactions will be narrated
in the order in which they occurred.

In 1816 the Congregational churches of the county
petitioned for, and obtained permission from, the legislature,
to sell their several and collective shares in the Hersey
estate. This property lies about a mile eastward of
the court house, and was devised by the will of Dr.
Abner Hersey, in 1786, to the thirteen Congregational
churches then existing in the county, for the dissemination
of a certain character of religious literature. Dr. Hersey
was a man of peculiar intellectual order. "With much vigor
of judgment, he was also a confirmed hypochondriac. He
came to Barnstable from Hingham, as the successor of his

PROM WAR OF 18l:^•15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 255

"brother James, who died in 1770. He was not then
considered, either by education or acquirements, particularly
well fitted for the position of medical practitioner. But he
had something as good as education, great native sense and
sagacity and the power of application and acquisition of
knowledge. He soon became the leading medical man on
the Ca})e. He travelled on a regular circuit, and his times
of coming found scoi*es of sufferers awaiting his advent,
with patrons at all the important centres and cross-roads in
the region. His manners were brusque and im^^rious. At
the close of his life he began to take precautions about his
own health. He lived sparingly, and took much care to
avoid exposui'e to damp and cold weather. He had leather
curtains to his sulky, and in winter wore a leather cloak
made of sixteen calf skins. His bed was covered with a
large number of milled blankets, and on retiring he would
turn down a considerable number, according to the weather.
EUs garments were cut after a fashion of his own. He was
capricious and uncertain in his moods, but a just and beney-
olent man, as well as a good manager in financial matters,
having in his practice accumulated what was in his time
regarded as a good fortune. In his will he bequeathed £500
to Harvard college for the endowment of a professorship of
physic and surgery, and the remainder of his estate, after
the decease of his wife, to the thirteen Congregational
churches in the county, proportioned to the amount he had
obtained in each of the parishes. The proportion reduced
to 56ths was as follows :

East Precinct, Barnstable, 7-56th8

West " " 5-56ths

Fahnouth, 4-56ths

Sandwich, 4-56th8

AVest, or First Precinct, Yarmouth, 6-56tli8

2M CAPE COD.

East, or Second Precinct, Yarmouth, 4-56th8

North, or First, Harwich, 4-56th8

South, or Second, Harwich, 3-56th8

Church in Chatham, 4-56th8

'' '' South Eastham, 5-56th8

'' • «< North Eastham, 3-56ths

" " Wellfleet, 3-56ths

" " Truro, 4-59ths

This estate, which was appraised at £3998 : 9 : 10, was to

be managed by the deacons of the several churches, the

income to be devoted to the purchase and dissemination of

theological books, such as Dodridge's ^'Rise and Progress of

Religion," Evans's seimons on '^The Christian Temper,**

Groves's "Discourses on the Lord's Supper," and Dodridge's

discourses on other subjects of a theological nature. The

deacons used to hold an annual meeting at Mrs. Lydia

Sturgis's tavern, in Barnstable, which seldom lasted less

than two or three days, and as they lived well, and were

not stinted in drinks and diet, in days when couvinality

was no detriment to the character of a professor of religion,

and the travelling expenses of the thirteen absor1>ed a

considerable sum, the income of the estate after a few years

left but little margin for the purchase of religious books.

The legislature was therefore called upon, at the end of

thirty years, to interpose, and an act was passed to authorize

the sale of the property, and, after compromising with the

heirs, to divide the remainder among the several churches ;

which was eventually accomplished.

Were these pages intended to epitomize the acts of
general legislation, in which our own people were intimately
interested and concerned, it would be expected that thej'
would record the passage of the tariff acts and the Missouri
Compromise measures, which agitated the public mind in

FROM WAR OF 181^15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 257

those days, hero as in other parts of the country ; but this
does not seem to be called for in a narrative of local events.
Two measures of importance to the Cape were, however,
enacted by the legislature in 1821, the incoi*poration of the
first banking institution in the county, at Falmouth, with a
capital of $100,000 ; also of the Salt Manufacturing Co. of
Billingsgate Island, capital $50,000.

By an act of Congress of 1826, an appropriation of

$10,600 was made for the construction of a breakwater for

«

the protection of shipping in Hyannis harbor, which has
been followed by several additional appropriations since
that time, for extensions and repairs. It has added much
to the value of that harbor and the security of shipping.

The expiration of Mr. Monroe's administration and the
accession of John Quincy Adams to power were the events,
of public importance in 1828, and in the political struggles
which accompanied those events. Cape Cod citizens were
actively identified. The establishment of a manufactory of
Hint glass, at Sandwich, this year, inaugurated by far the
most impoitant manufacturing industry which ever existed '
in the county.

The upper towns of the county, particularly Falmouth
and Sandwich, were, in 1828, saddened by the loss of a
vessel retuniing from Charleston, S. C, with some thirty
young men, merchants and artisans, who had spent the
winter season in prosecuting their business in South
Carolina. This year was a peculiarly afflictive one for
Truro, particularly, and to all the Cape towns, many of the
young men going down beneath the treacherous waves.

The burning of the county house, at Barnstable, on the
night of October 22, 1827, was an event which may rank
as a calamity of the first importance to the business and
family interests of the county. This building was occupied

258 CAPE COD.

for a registry of deeds, registry of probate, and an olBSce
for clerk of the courts. The Ave was discovered from his
chamber window, by Rev. Henry Hersey, the pastor of the
East church and society, about 11 o'clock at night, and ho
immediately gave the alarm. Foitunately, several young
gentlemen were at Crocker's hotel, enjoying a social evenuig,
and immediatel}' went to the spot, and by their efforts and
those of ^h\ Hersey succeeded in rescuing a large number
of volumes from destruction. The court records were
nearly all destroyed, together with 93 folios of records of
deeds, numerous deeds left for record, and vols. 29, 44 and
46 of the probate records. All the rest of the probate
records were rescued by the efforts of these young men.*

The legislature of the succeeding year did all that could
be accomplished to rescue from oblivion the records
destroyed by the fire in the county building. By the act of
January 16, 1828, an extra teim of the court of Sessions
was authorized to take measures for the erection of a county
building, in consequence of the late destruction by fire ; and
by another act, approved March 10, it was made the duty
of the selectmen of each town to cause to be recorded
all deeds for conveyance of real estate lying in their
respective towns, which should be brought them for that
purpose, and which bore date not more than forty yeara
back and had been recorded in the registry of deeds of the
county before the 3d of October preceding, the said books
then to be deposited in the oflSce of the register of deeds,
and to be as effectual in law as the first records destroyed
by fire. The time for receiving these conveyances was
afterwards extended to the first day of May, 1829. The

♦From Mr. Ebeu H. Eldrid^e, the la*t survivor of the party, the
foregolug account was obtained by the writer. He pave a« his
associates, Messrs. Heury Hersev, Josiah Hinckley, Jonas Whitman,
£ben Bacon, Mr. Parker of Boston, and two or three others.

FROM WAR OF 1612-15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 2»

result of this legislation was the collection of many
impoi-tant papers, eml)odied in thirteen large volumes.

In 1832-3, a new court house was erected in Barnstable,
under the direction of the county commissioners, Messrs.
Samuel P, Croswell, of Falmouth, Matthew Cobb of
Barnstable and Obed Brooks of Harwich. It is built of
granite and is fire proof. J. & J. Taylor of Plymouth were
the contractors. It has twice since been enlarged. The
old bell on the former court house was removed to the cupola
of the new. It was cast, apparently, in Munich, and bears
the inscription, ** Si Devs pwn bvs qvis contra nos 1673 J*
^ If God be with us who can be against ? '* This bell has an
interesting histor3\ In 1702, Capt. Peter Adolphe was cast
away upon our shore, his body recovered, and buried in
Sandwich. His widow, in grateful acknowledgment of the
act, presented the citizens this bell, which for thirty years
hung in the tower of the old meeting-house. In 1756 the
bell was sold to procure another and larger one, the county
of Barnstable being the purchaser. It is not now used, being
preserved as a relic in the office of the clerk of the courts.

Sept. 3, 1839, was celebrated, in Barnstable, under the most
favorable auspices, the second centennial of the incorporation
of the town. It was also made a county affair; everything
combined to give it the absorbing interest and importance
which it attained. There was an imposing parade of
soldiery. Prof. John G. Palfrey delivered an address, which
contained many things that have since often been quoted, as
they were then admired and applauded. Hon. Nymphas
Marston presided at the dinner, Hon. Henry Crocker was
chief marshal, Gov. Edward Everett made one of his most
eloquent and polished speeches, and Chief Justice Shaw,
Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Hon. William Sturgis and other
natives of the town added to the interest of the occasion bj

260 CAPS COD.

happy after-dinner efforts. Fire-works and a grand bait
were the attractions of the evening.

An act was passed by the legislature of 1839, annexing
part of Eastham to Orleans. By these successive divisions
of territory, the old and once important town of Eastham
has been gi*adually shorn of her former proportions, until
she is now next to the smallest town of the county in respect
to population.

The great gale and storm of Oct. 3 and 4, 1841, was one
of the most memorable and appalling in its results ever
experienced here. Its victims were chiefly the crews of
vessels engaged in the fisheries. When the gale commenced
there was a large fleet on Geoi'ges Bank. They made sail
for the Cape, but the strongest canvas was torn to shreds.
Some of the vessels succeeded in getting into the bay and
running ashore on the beach. Others were driven on
Nantucket shoals, and still others were foundered at sea.
The scenes which followed were of the most heart-rending
description. Fifty-seven lives were lost of citizens of
Truro, 10 of Yarmouth, and 20 of Dennis.

That the period from 1830 to 1860 was one of great
industrial energy and development for the county, not only
upon the sea, but among the business men and enterprises
on the land, is made evident by the number of legislative
acts, incorporating^ or authorizing important fiscal institu-
tions, and opening facilities for trade and commerce. These
statutes show the evolution of business methods, from the
primitive to the modern systems. Among these acts the
most impoitant and representative were : The Institution
for Savings in Barnstable, incorporated Januar}% 1829 ;
Fishing Insurance Company of Provincctown ; incorporation
of Proprietors of Bass River Lower Bridge ; authorizing
the towns of Chatham and Orleans to open a passage through

FBOM WAR OF 1B12-16 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. ^61

Nauset beach in Chatham for the improvemeut of Chatham
hai*bor, 1832 ; the Barnstable County Mutual ¥\Ye Insurance
Company at Yarmouth, incorporated March 2, 1833;
capital stock of Barnstable Bank in Yarmouth, increased the
same year ; Falmouth Academy incorporated March 7, 1835 ;
Union Insurance Company, Provincctown, and Truro
Breakwater Company, for the purpose of forming an
artificial harbor, incoiporated in 1835 ; Truro Academy,
incorporated 1840; authorizing the Wharf and Harbor
Company of Dennis to construct and maintain a breakwater
and improve the harbor at Sesuit Creek; authonty to
construct a highway and bridges across Pamet, Hopkins's
and East Harbor Creeks, in Truro, 1841 ; Marine Insurance
Company in Chatham, 1842 ; jVIarine Insui-ance Company
of Province town, incorporated; Barnstable County Agri-
cultm*al Society, incorporated ^larch 15, 1844; Equitable
lilarine Insurance Company, incorporated 1845 ; Cape Cod
Branch Railroad, incorporated 1846, (name subsequently
changed to the Cape Cod Railroad) ; Manomet Iron
Company, Sandwich, incorporated 1847; Hyannis Packet
Insurance Company, Sandwich Savings Bank, Truro 'NMiarf
and Breakwater Company, to be constructed near Pond
Lauding, Provincetown Marine Railway, incori)oi'ated 1847 ;
capital of Barnstable Bank, in Yarmouth, again increased
this year ; the county commissioners authorized to lay out
a highway and build a bridge across East Harbor, in Truro,
from the end of Beach Point to Provincetown, 1849 ; Cape
Cod Association, Boston, organized May 12; Seamen's
Savings Bank, Provincetown, incorporated ; permission
granted to Cape Cod Branch Railroad Company to extend
the road from Sandwich, Barnstable and Yarmouth to
Hyannis, with increase of capital stock, 1851 ; Boston and
Sandwich Glass Company, and Barnstable Bank gmnted

262 CAP£ COD.

increade of capital, 1853 ; Provincetown Bank, incorporated
1854; Bunk of Cape Cod, Harwich; Equitable jVIaiiue
Insurance Companj' of Provincctown, Nantucket and Cape
Cod Steamboat Company, Cape Cod Telegraph Company,
incorporated 1855 ; Cape Cod Marino Telegmph Comi>any,
incorporated ; further act providing for the constniction by
Truro and Provincctown of a bridge over East Harbor,
1856; the Mounamoit In^m*ance Company, of Chatham,
incorporated, and capital of Cape Cod Bank, Harwich,
increased, 1857. These are only the more general public
acts affecting the business interests of the county, while the
statutes relating to private interests w^ould require many
pages to recount.

During the period under review, a large number of
distinguished citizens of the county who had perfonned
eminent public service and filled positions of honor and
trust in civil and military life, in the Revolutionary war,
just preceding it, or during the war of 1812-15, paid the
debt of nature.

Gen. Joseph Dimmick of Eevolutionary fame died in
Falmouth, Sept. 21, 1822, aged 88 years. He early
enlisted in the sendee of his countrv, and ser\'od as lieu-
tenant under Abercrombie, at Ticonderoga. His prowess
and sagacity in the conflict with Great Britain have been set
forth in the story of the Revolutionary days. In j)eaee as
well as in war, he was a good citizen, and a man of rectitude
and high honor.

Hon. George Thacher, a native of this count}-, died April
6, 1824, at Biddelord, Me., having been born in Yarmouth,
April 12, 1754. He was a descendant in the fourth
generation of Anthony Thacher, one of the grantees of the
town, and gi-aduated from Harvard College in 1776.
Having prepared himself for the practice of law, in the

GEORGE THACHER.

PROM WAR OF IftTMS TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 208

office of Shcarjashub Bourne, Esq., of Barnstable, in 1782,
he established himself in Biddeford, in the district of Maine.
Chosen, before the estalilishnient of the constitution, a
delegate to Congress, he was also after the adfjption chosen
a representative, serving in that capacity until 1801. He
took an active part in the business of that body, and was
one of the keenest debatei's and most influential workers in
the house. His wit, sarcasm, and power of ridicule, which
he had frequent occasion to exercise, brought him in collision
with some of the leaders of the opposition. In 1801, he
resigned his seat in Congress, to accept the position of judge
of the Supreme Judicial court, where he remained until
1824. He was (me of the chief ornaments of a tribunal,
which numl^ers among its most conspicuous membei's, such
lawyers as Parsons, Shaw, Parker, iloilon, and others
whose opinions ai-e quoted and relied upon in all American
judicial pi-oceedings. Judge Thacher was also something
more than a mere lawyer; he was a man of learning in
other departments, and was particularly well versed in
theological and j)olemical controversies, and his knowledge
of history and the literature of the period, was surpassed
by few of his contemporaries. His wit and humor often
enlivened many of the dreary judicial proceedings in
which he participated, auvd he sometimes took a very practical
view of what was transpiring before him. On one occasion,
Hon. Daniel Davis, as solicitor-general, was prosecuting a
horse thief, before Judge Thacher, in the county of
Kennebec. The case suggested a precedent to the keen-
witted judge. AVhen he was a boy, he and the solicitor-
general lived in the adjoining towns of Yarmouth and
Barnstable, and the day after the affair at Lrcxington and
Concord, the militia of the two towns started off for Boston.
The boj's accompanied the soldiers, Daris acting as fifer,

26A CAPE COD.

antil an order came for the troops to return home. In their
retreat y tired of marching, the boys found an old horse by
the way-side, mounted it and rode some miles, after which
they abandoned the steed on the highway, to return to its
home if it so willed. In the course of the trial the judge
leaned over the bench and said, in an undertone, ''Davy,
that reminds me of the horse we stole in Barnstable.''
Judge Thacher remained on the bench until 1824, during
which time his residence was in Newburyport. After
retiring, he lived with his children a short period in
Biddeford, until the time of his death.*

September 20, died in Sandwich, Gen. Nathaniel Freeman,
who was bom in Dennis (then a portion of Yarmouth),
in 1741, and occupied a conspicuous position in the county
during and after the Rcvolutionarj'' war. He was a leading
spirit among the patriots, and was honored at its close by
many marks of public confidence, as has been detailed in
appropriate connection.

November 13, 1828, Rev. Timothy Alden, of Yarmouth,
departed this life at the ripe age of 92. He was born in
Bridgewater, and was a direct descendant of John Alden,
one of the Mayflower company. He was called to the
pastorate of the First church in Yarmouth, in 17G9. An
ardent patriot during the Revolution, he suffered many
privations during that period, cheerfully sharing the poverty
and destitution of his flock. He was a good sermonizer,
noted for his felicity in the selection of texts. He retained,
to the last, the dress of the olden time. Mr. Freenjan, in
the History of Cape Cod, says: "AVe vividly recall the
appearance of this venerable gentleman as wo saw him last
at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Hersey at Karnstai)le, in
1824, seated among the clerg}' and distinguished attendants,

♦Old Yarmouth,

FBOM WAB OF 1812-15 TO 80UTHEEX REBELLION. 265

on the platform, his antique wig conspicuous, in small
clothes and knee and shoe buckles, and thrce-comcred hat
lying nearby — objects of interest to the young." He left
four sons and three daughters, his eldest son being known
as president of Alleghany College, at Mcadville, Pa., and
as the author of a collection of American epitaphs, a work of
five volumes.

Hon. Wendell Davis of Sandwich, deceased Dec. 30,
1830. He was a native of Plymouth. He was a lawyer by
profession, several times represented Sandwich in the
legislature, was two j'cars a member of the senate, and
sheriff of the county, 1816-23.

By the decease of Rev. James Freeman, D. D., a native
of Tmro, Nov. 4, 1835, at the age of 77, historical and
genealogical students lost one of their most devoted
members, and the clerical profession a distinguished ornament
and example. For many years he was the minister of the
Stone Cha]^)el, Boston, and ever kept up a deep interest in
the history and traditions of the county.

Mr. Ebenezer Sears died in Yarmouth, Sept. 20, 1835,
aged 80 years. He was in the Revolutionary army, and, as
already stated, was one of the guard over Major Andre
the night before his execution at West Point. He after-
wards commanded the first American vessel that rounded the
Cape of Good Hope, on a voyage to India. He was of the
family of Capt. Isaac Sears, the Revolutionarj' agitator of
New York, and father of the didtiuguished Boston merchant,
Joshua Scars.

Abner Davis, Esq., for many years register of probate
and clerk of the courts for the county, deceased Sept. 4,
1830, aged 55 years. He was of the legal i)rofession. He
was in direct descent from Robert Davis, one of the first
settlers of Barnstable.

266 CAPE COD.

Rev. Xathan Underwood, jxastor of South Precinct
church, in Ilanvich, departed this life ilay 1, 1841, aged 88
yeai-s. Mr. Underwood was a native of Lexington, Mass.,
and was early a student, while yet an apprentice to a
carpenter. He was prevented by a severe cut in the foot
from taking part in the affair of the 19th of April, 1775, but
soon after joined the army and was engaged in the battle of
Bunker Hill, being one of the last to leave the field. He
was also in the battles on Long Island, displaying great
fearlessness and bravery. He participated in the sufferings
and privations in camp on the succeeding winter, was with
Washington in the crossing of the Delaware, and in the
battles of Trenton and Princeton. He afterwards entered
Harvard college, graduating in 1788, and studied for the
ministry, settling in Harwich in 1792. He was i)opular
and successful as a citizen, I)eing several times elected to
the leirislature, and was also a shrewd business man and a
scientific farmer. He reai-ed a larsre fainilv.

Hon. Isaiah L. Green died in New York in 1841, aired
80 years. He graduated at Harvard in 1781. He was
elected a member of Conirress and served in the ses-^ions of
1805-9, and again in 1811-13, when he was superseded by
Hon. John Reed. In 1814, he was appointed by Madison,
collector of customs for the district of Banistable, which
office he retained until 18;^7. After his ixitircmcnt, Mr»
Green lived for a year or two in New York.

Rev. Philander Shaw, a pastor for many years of the
Eastham society, died Oct. 10, 1x41, airod 73. He was a
native of Bridgewater, was ordained pa.'^tor of the Eastham
church in 1795, which relation he siistaincd for a little over
41 vears, or until about two voars before his death. He
was also two vtars in the legislature from Eastham.

Hon. Russell Freeman died Jan. i^ 1842. He was a son

FROM WAR OP VnZ-lb TO SOUTHERN REBELLION.

of Gen. Nathaniel Freeman of Revolutionary memory, was
some time a member of the executive council, representative
fi^om Sandwich, and collector of customs of the port of New
Bedford. His genial manners, polished v.it, and acknowl-
edged abilities rendei'ed him a favonte in social circles and
public assemblages.

Rev. Jonathan Burr of Sandwich died Aug. 2, 1842.
He. was l>orn in West Bridgewater, graduated at Harvard
college, and settled in Sandwich in 1787. He was a fine
scholar and a faithful principal of Sandwich academy for
the first years of its existence. His dismissal from the
pastonitc of the First parish church, Sandwich, and the
subsequent litigation in connection witli that transaction,
involved no question of moi*aIs or pei'sonal integrity. It
was brought to establish the legal lights of the parties in
controversy.

Rev. Jolm Simpkins, pastor of the First Congregational
church and society of Brewster for forty years, died in
Boston, Feb. 28, 1843. Mr. Simpkins held a high position
as a scholar and theologian, and both in devotion to hia
duties and his deportment sustained the traditional reputation
of a minister of the Old Colony.

David Crocker, Esq., sheriff of the county, deceased
Sept. 4, 1843. Mr. Crocker was only fifth in lineal descent
from Dea. AVm. Crocker, one of the original settlers of the
town, and was prominent in business as well as political
circles. He was bom Feb. 28, 1789.

Dr. James Thacher, a native of Barnstable, died in
Plymouth, ^lay, 1844, aged 90. He studied medicine with
the eccentric Dr. Abner Hersey, of his native town, and, in
1775, entered the Revolutionary army as a surgeon,
continuing in the service until the close of the war, or seven
and one-half years. He wrote and published the Revolu-

288 CAPE COD.

tionary Journal « Medical Biography, History of Plymouth,
American Orchardist, Medical Dispensar^^ works of literary
merit and ample information.

Hon. Braddock Dinmiick of Falmouth, died April 30,
1845, aged 84. He was the eldest son of Gen. Joseph
Dimmick of Revolutionary renown, and had himself been
often honored by his fellow-citizens of the town and county.

Sept. 3, of the same year, died, ]Mr. George Hallet, a
native of Yarmouth, and an eminent merchant of Boston,
a man whose helpful and benevolent disposition was as
prominent a ti*ait of his character as his enterprise and
business sagacity.

In 1848, Nov. 21, died. General Elijah Ck)bb of Brewster,
eminent as a shipmaster and in civil life, aged 81 years.

In 1849, Jan. 25, Dr. Jonathan Leonard, a distinguished
physician and honored citizen of Sandwich, died, aged 86
years.

Capt. Benj. Hallett of Barnstable, shipmaster and
theological controversialist, died Deceml>er 31, 1849, aged 90.

Ol^ed Brooks, Esq., Harwich, prominent as county ofBcial
and business man, died Aug. 4, 1856, aged 75.

Rov. Henry Lincoln, more than 50 yeai-s pastor of the
church in Falmouth, died in Nantucket, May 28, 1857, aged
92 yeai-s.

Jojshua Sears, Esq., a native of Yarmouth, died in Boston,
Feb. 7, 1857. He was an enterprising and sagacious
merchant, and left one of the largest estates ever acquired
in Massachusetts, some poilions of which he bequeathed to
his native town for educational puri)Oscs, and to other public
beneiicial objects.

Hon. Elijah Swift died in Falmouth, Jan. 19, 1852, aged
77 years. He was 12 years a representative, and two years
a mem1)er of the executive council. He made a considerable

FROM WAR OF 181^15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 260

fortone as a government contractor for cutting live oak for
the navy, and established and many years carried on the
whaling business at Wood's Hole.

Capt. John Collins, who was a native of Tiniro, and
whose name is honorably connected with the establishment
of regular lines of steamers between this country and
Europe, died at New York, Nov. 21, 1857, aged 63 years.

Hon. Zeno Scudder died in Osterville, June 26, 1857.
He was bom in Barnstable in 1807, studied law, and settled
first in Fabnouth, and afterwards in Barnstable. He was in
the Massachusetts senate in 1846-7-8, the last year serving
as president of that body. He was elected to the 3 2d
Congress, and made an able speech on the American
fisheries. He was re-elected, but did not take his seat^
owing to an accident which disabled him, dying soon
after, at the age of 50 years.

Hon. John Reed, many years a resident in Yarmouth^
died at Bridgewater, Nov. 25, 1860. He was bom in
Bridgewater, in 1781, was graduated at Brown University,
1803, embraced the legal profession, and settled in Tar-
mouth. In 1813, he was elected to Congress as an avowed
opponent of the war measures of Mr. jNIadison's adminis-
tration. He was re-elected in 1815, and defeated in 1817,
by "Walter Folger of Nantucket. He was again chosen in
1821, and remained in Congress until 1841, an almost
unexampled tenii of service. In 1844 he was elected
Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts and was six times
re-elected.

Rev. Enoch Pratt died in Brewster, Feb. 2, 1860, aged
78. He was 27 years pastor of West Barnstable church,
receiving during that period 380 persons to church com-
munion. He wrote a history of Eastham, Wellfleet and
Orleans, published in 1844.

4870 CAPE COD.

In 1861, Dea. Allen Hinckley of Truro died, aged 91
years. He was a native of Falmouth and went to Truro in
early life^ and was a house-builder of prominence in his
^enemtion.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1815-1860.

1816. Proprietors of Bass River Bridge, between Yarmouth and
Bouth Deuuis, incorporated.— Jurisdiction cedc^ to the United States
for sites of light-houses on Race Point and Point Gammon.— Dennis
divided into North and South parishes.— Hon. James Freeman of
Sandwich, sheriff of the county, died July 3.— A proposal for building
a county poor-house was agitated.

1817. The Eastham and Orleans canal proprietors incorporated, for
opening a canal from the head of Nauset Cove to Boat Meadow Creek.
—Yarmouth Society for Suppression of Intemperance (.the second in
the country) formed.

1818. The South Congregational society of Barnstable incorporated.
^-The lands lying in Harwich, Orleans and Brewster belonging to the
Potnumaquet Indians (then extinct) were sold for ^31)0.

1819. Major George Lewis, a native of Barnstable, one of the early
settlers of Gorham, Maine, died there this year. He served in the
Revolutionary war and was in the battle of Bunker Hill.

1820. The town of Brewster appointed a comniittee "to keep the
meeting-house clear of dogs and to kill them if their owners will not
keep them out," and compensation of ^.oo was voted therefor.

1833. Site for liglit-ho«>e on Mouonioy Point granted to tlio United
States.— Lower Bridge Company, of Yarmouth and Dennis, incor-
porated.

18:25. The Sandwich Glass Factory e^tiiblished in this town com-
menced operations by blowing glass July 4. The company was
Incorporated the next year, with a capital of $'.•$00,000.

1828. Congress appropriated ^,600 tor preservation of Provincetown
Harbor.— Sites gi'anted to the irnited Stnt«»s for light-liouses on Long
Point, Provincetown, and on Sandy Neck, Barnstable.

1827. Sandwich offered a reward of clOO for the killing of a wolf,
that was destroying sheep in the woods.

1828. Site for light-house ceded to the United States at Nobsque
Point, Falmouth.

1829. Several estates in Truro set off to Provincetown.

CHRONOLOGY OP BVENT8; 271

1831. In January of $bis year a heavy fall of snow prored fatal to
^eer in Sandwich wood?. People with snow ^hoes barbarously
slaughtered or captured al>out :M); forty of the»e were taken alive.

1833. Rev. Kzra 8. Goodwin, of Fir^t church in Sandwich, died.

1831. Indian Plantation of Mashpee constituted a district.

1835. A poi*tion of Truro annexed to Wellfleet.

1837. Act parsed establishing the dividing line 1)etween Wellfleet
and Truro.— *' Millennial Grove," in Eastham, incorporated for camp-
meeting purposes.

1838. The Xorth Parish in Harwich authorized to take the name of
The First Parish in Brewster.

18i0. March, Mashpee created a parish for religious purposes.

1811. Portion of Mashpee annexed to Falmouth.— April 80, Capt.
Samuel Taylor, a Revolutionary soldier, died in Yarmouth, aged 8&
years. He was near Gen. Warren when he fell at Bunker Hill, was at
Princeton, Monmouth, Saratoga and Yorktown, and endui*ed the
terrible winter at Valley Forge.

1842. Division of plantation lands of Mashpee to the proprietors,
authorized.

1848. May 11, a monster whale was captured near the end of Cape
Cod, by Capt. El>enezer Cook, David Sparks and others, in a smaH
pink-sverii schooner of about 50 tons, called the Cordelia. The whale
was estimated at 200 bbls. of oil and about 2000 lbs. bone. Not having
proper facilities for the purpose, only 125 bbls. of oil and about 900
lbs. of bone were saved. The real value of the whale was estimated
at 810,000.

1844. Crew of ten men of fishing schooner Commerce, at anchor
near Truro harbor, disappeared in the night time. They were
supposed to have been lost by the swamping of their boat while
coming ashore.— A Jail was erected in Provincetown, by order of the
county commissioners.

1845. Schooner Altorf, of Truro, Capt. Wm. S. Hutchins, with six
men, lost on Grand Banks.- Martha HamiltK)n of Falmouth died, aged
107 years.

1846. Six of the crew of schooner Brenda, of Truro, drowned in
that harbor by upsetting of a boat.— British steamship Cambria
grounded on Truro beach, about five miles south of the light-house.
The mails were sent to Boston by stage coach and railroad, and the
steamer was hauled off by tugs in a day or two, uninjured.

1848. Dividing line between Harwich and Brewster changed, by act
of the legislature.

1849. The commissioners of Barnstable county were authorized to
construct a bridge and lay out a highway across East Harbor in Truro«
from the end of Beach Point to Provincetown.

1850. Ansel Taylor, Yarmouth, died, aged 101 years, 7 months.^Brig
Eagle lost at Provincetown, with 15 lives.

sra

CAFE COD.

1B51. "The Capo Cod AMOciatlon lii Boston " orfniiiced.

UK!. 95000 was appn>print«d by Coiifprf.as for the preiervatioa ot
Provlncetoim Hortwr.^A oommissioii, aiipoiuted by authority ol tbe
leglslHture, to examine ftiid report iipou the coiidltinn of ProTlucetotm
harbor, rpporterl the next ye»r. — (tnmuel Lewis, nnntiTc of Falmouth,
Snperiuteiiileot of Common Bohooln of Ohio for fifteen Tears, and
known by the title of " Father of the Common Schools of Ohio," ili«d
July 28, aged &5 years.

1S>3. Boston Cnpe Cod Association celebrated their annlversarv at
Yarmouth. — Steamer AJax foundered off ProvlnoetowD, aud 13 Uvea
lost.— Great December storm ou tbe con-it; Central wharf store,
Yarmouth, swept away and wharf destroyed. Schooner Leo of
Rockland came ashore at Bandy N'eok ; her crew lost.

IBM. Tbe flr^t bridge across East Ilai'bor, Proviiicetowu, was con-
■truGted by order of the commlngioners of RiLm^talilc county.

186S. Land was ceded to the LTutted States for the .erection of a
custom bouse lu Bavuiitable. which wa« commeuced, and Uniiibed tbe
■ucceediug year.— Bridge from Beacb FoUit iu Tniro to Provincvtown,
oonstruated by order of the county oommtiisioners, at a cost of
MOOO, of which ProvinceUwn paid oue-batt, Truro aud the county
the balance.

1858, "The New York Cape Cod AsFociallon" was or~aulzed.

1857. Land on Billln^gate Island. Wellflect, whs ceded to tht' United
States for the coiistructiou of a dweUiu^ fur a llght-liouse keeper.—
62S00 appropriated by the legislature to eiiablfi Lt'vi Baker of Yar-
mouth to test before tbe U. B. Supreme Court, the constitutionality ot
the act ot the Virginia legislature iu relation to deleutlon ond ;;earch
of Tessels,- A hali for use ot Biirustuble Couuty Agricultural Society
iros erected.

ISaS. In October schooner Qranite of ijuiucy was lost on outer bar
at Yarmouth, with her crew of five or si.x men.

1850. Ebeu S. Ward of South Welltteel was muntercd by his son-in-
law, who WB4 of unsound miud.

=*i=4J-

CHAPTER XVI.

CAPE COD IN THE REBELLION.
lUxpouM* to 8umt«r'f pinn— Antion ol Cape To wii«— Filling ot ttM
(Jublaa~CaiM) OlUceni aud Sol d lent— Deiitrnciinu of our MariiM —
Ma-M>u & Slldell — Dcnlli? of Chief Justi<« Sliuw, Hnu. Willlua
Sturtd'', Jud^ Kymtihas Uarstou, Bon. Zeim^ D. Ba«^ell, Hon.
Solomuii Davi* — Vsrmoutti Oftmp Meeting Aflso<;intlou.

i^iLv^C ^^ opening guns ol Sumter aiu!<e(l a remark-
!u.^^^r^ able upri&iag of patriotism in itl! the
E^j^^^fe communities of the Cape. Meetings of
fc^\iZ' aC^ citizens were at once held to devise measures
' for vindicating the honor of the nation and
2<E^- upholding the dignity of the insulted flag. In
^ some cases meetings were unoflScial, but were
called by authority of the officers of the towns. Hie
earliest <if these tonn meetiDgs were those held 2Iay 2, in
Yarmouth and ProviQcetowo. At the former, resolutioas
were passed pledging the town to the support of the
government in its endeavors to suppress the Rebellion, and
recommending the especial efforts of the citizens to
strengthen the naval arm of the service, in view of the
avowed design of the South to send forth " piratical crafts
for the purpose of six)liation and plunder upon the commerce
of the country." Tbe resolves adopted at Proviucetowa
breathed a spirit of tbe most devoted patriotism, and
pledged the government a "hearty support of men and
means." Barnstable followed. May 4th, in a series of

274 CAPE COD.

resolutions, offering the sam of $40 to each volunteer ; and
pledging support to the families of those citizens who
enlisted '" during the whole time the head of the family is
actually employed in the service.'* Harwich voted, IVIay
10th, to raise 100 men for a coast guard, and authorized the
selectmen to set apart $1,000 for war purposes. Bi'ewster,
May 24th, raised money and provided for the families of
volunteers. Orleans, May 27th, passed a series of spirited
resolves, and raised $1,000 for the supix)!^ of families of
the volunteers. Sandwich, May 11th, held a meeting
authorizing the selectmen to borrow $4,000 as it might be
required, for the benefit of the families of those in the
military service. This town had, in April preceding, held
public meetings, at which a military company was formed^
which subsequently became a part of the 29th regiment, and
the sum of $620 was raised by private subscription as a
bounty to the volunteers. Those towns which held no
public meetings were in no way behind their neighbors, in
their efforts through their citizens, unofficially, in promoting
the cause which all had equally at heait.

On the 4th of July, 1862, the President issued a call for
300,000 volunteers for three years' service, of which number
Massachusetts was to furnish 15,000, and the county of
Barnstable, 379. Meetings were immediately held in all
the towns, the money appropriated and bounties offe^'ed for
such as would leave their pursuits at home and join the
ranks of their country's defenders. In less than sixty days
the call was responded to. On the 4th of August, 300,000
more men were called for, to serve for nine months, and of
these, Massachusetts was to furnish 19,080, and Barnstable
county 394. Before these calls were made, the Cape had
furnished her due proportion of men for the anuy and a
considemble number for the navy, for which no credit was

«

CAPE COD IN THE REBELLION. 275

given; and this injustice continued until 1864, when an
act passed Congi*ess and was approved by the President,
allowing those who had enlisted in the navy since April,
1861, to be counted in the contingent of the state to which
they belonged, and in which they had enlisted. A recruiting
office was opened in Barnstable custom house, in November,
1863, Lieut.-Col. J. M. Day being superintendent, from
which recruits were sent fon\^ard as soon as they were
mustered into the sei*vice. Before the end of 1863, the
additional men demanded under these calls had been
enlisted and sent forward to the front.

In October, 1863, another call was made for 300,000 more
troops for three years. Of this number, this county was
required to furnish 380, and recruiting progressed with
reasonable activity, but the number of those who were able
to leave their employments and associations to enter the
service of the country had been greatly reduced. The nine
months' men had all returned, and it was necessary, for the
efficiency of military operations, that the number of troops
in the field should be increased. So, in February, 1864,
the President issued a proclamation ordering a draft for
500,000 men, or 200,000 in addition to the number called
for in October ; and of this latter quota Barnstable coun^
was to furnish 308 additional.

During the year 1863, the realities of the war were
brought home to the doors of our people by the incursion of
the rebel privateer Tacony, which, coming upon our coast,
captured, plundered and burned nineteen vessels, including
five ships, the remainder being mostly fishing schooners*
After cruising several days in this portion of the Atlantic,
finding a U. S. vessel in pursuit, ^the Tacony was abandoned
and destroyed The crew proceeded to Portland harbor, took
possession of the revenue cutter Gushing, lying at anchor

276 GAPE COD.

with a few men on board, and, upon being pursued, abandoned
and destroyed it, and were afterwards captured and made
prisoners.

In the operations around Richmond, in the spring of 1864,
numerous casualties occurred to soldiera from Barnstable
county, especially to Co. A, 58th Regiment, and Cos. £
and I, 4th Regiment.

In 1862, January 1, Mason and Slidell, the two emissaries
of the so-called Southern Confederacy, who had been
captured by Capt. Wilkes and confined at Foil; Warren, in
Boston harbor, were brought to Provincetown harbor and
delivered to the commander of British steamer Rinaldo, and
proceeded to their destination.

The capture of Charleston and Richmond occasioned great
rejoicing and patriotic demonstrations everywhere throughout
the county, which were followed by less enthusiastic, but
no less sincere, expressions of gratitude and relief.

The number of men furnished by the county for the army
and navy, according to the selectmen's returns, was 2,305.
But this refers probably to the inhabitants of the towns
only, who enlisted under the several calls, for about 3,400
were requisite to fill the various quotas, and each of the
towns not only did this, but had in the aggregate a surplus
of 309 men above every demand, giving evidence that 3,600
or 3,700 men were furni:?hed by the towns of the Cape.
The total expense of the towns of the county on account
of the war was $308,9^5.08. This is exclusive of
$90,934.84, which was niised and paid in stiite aid to
soldiers' families durinir the four voars of the war, and
which was reimbursed bj*^ the state. The total was
$399,919.92.* The loss of life of brave and devoted men,
and tlie broken health of nianv of those who lived to return,

•Schouler's History of the Rebellion.

CAPE COD IN THE REBELLION. 277

were results which this community shared with others all
over this broad land.

Although furnishing but few conspicuous examples of
brilliant military achievements, such as were exhibited by
her sons in the French wars and in the Revolution, the
steadfastness and courage of the rank and file of the Cape
contingent were equal to every emergency. A few of her
native officers rose to distinction, and others fell a sacrifice
to the duties of their positions.

Lieut.-Col. Charles Chipman, a native of Sandwich, of the
29th JIassachusetts regiment, who was killed at Petersburg,
Va., August 8th, 1864, was an officer of considerable merit,
great gallantry and ardent patriotism. Brevet Major-General
Joseph E. Hamblin, a native of Yarmouth, survived the
war, but his death, which occurred in 1870, was directly
traceable to hardships and rigors in the field. He entered
the service as adjutant of tlie 5th New York regiment, and
was promoted, by saccessive steps, for gallantry and
meritorious service. He participated in sixteen important
engagements, and was twice wounded at the battle of Cedar
Creek, for which he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-
general, by the recommendation of Gen. Sheridan. Capt.
Chas. M. Upham of Chatham, of 58th jVIassachusetts
regiment, was killed near Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864.
In the naval branch of the service this county furnished
many excellent sailors, as well as a number of valuable
officers for the volunteer force, and several skilful pilots of
the highest value in the operations on the Southern coasts
and harbors of the Confederacy.

The part taken by the people of the county in the arduous
war, which followed the firing upon the flag, illustrated their
patriotic impulses and their devotion to the Federal Union.
Notwithstanding the ruin of their business, such as occurred

aXB CAPS COD.

to no other portion of the state, they put forth their whole
efforts to suppress the Kebellion and subdue the enemies of
the Union, as the official records and the foregoing brief
recital illustrate. By the census of 1860, the county was
found to contain a population of 36,011. The business
pursuits of her people had prospered and the growth of her
population had been gradually, though steadily, on the
increase. Thousands of her citizens, who followed the seas
for a livelihood, made their homes and established their
families here. This was the climax of their prosperity and
growth. The Slaveholders' Rel)eIlion, which decimated the
commerce of the nation, was nowhere more disastrous in
its results than in the county of Barnstable. Unlike other
communities, the people of this county had no other great
industries to fall back upon when maritime business was
abandoned. They were essentially a commercial people,
and nothing else. When this pursuit faile<l they were
obliged to seek new fields of enterprise, and in order to do
so were compelled to remove to communities where suitable
industries were already established.

For a better comprehension of the position of the people
of this county as related to the war, the foregoing narrative
has been given, without recording the events which would
tend to interrupt the continuity of the relation. Returning
to the year 1861, we have to record tlie departure from this
life of citizens of eminence and ability in their various
walks of life.

March 30, 1861, Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw suddenly
expired at his home in Boston. He was born in
West Barnstable, January 9, 1781, his father being Rev.
Oakes Shaw, pastor of the church in that place. He
graduated at Harvard college, and educated to the law,
commencing his professional career in Boston. He was

LEMUEL SHAW.

CAPE COD IK THE REBEIXION. 279

elected by that town, in 1816, a member of the legislature,
8er^^ng seven years in the house of representatives and four
in the senate. He was also a member of the constitutional
convention of 1820. In 1830, he was appointed by Gov.
Lincoln to the office of chief justice of the Supreme Judicial
Court of the state, and retained the position for thirty years,
voluntarily retiring in 1860. His reported decisions are
characterized by great ability, a mastery of legal principles,
and are quoted as authoritv in everv state of the union as
well as in the courts of Great Britain, stamping him as one
of the greatest jurists of the age.

In 1863, January 11, occurred one of the veiy few
deliberate murders which have stained the annals of the
county. Isaiah T. Wright of East Sandwich, while passing
in the night time through his fiold from one houjse to another,
was shot and almost instantly killed. No reliable clue to
the muixler was ever obtained, and the transaction remains
one of those mysterious affairs, which refute the oft-quoted
maxim, "* Murder will out.**

During the year 1863, a camp-meeting association was
formed of Cape and Boston Methodists, with societies from
some other localities, and the first camp-meeting was held in
a grove at Yannouth, on the line of the Hyannis Branch
railroad, commencing August 11, 1863, and continuing a
week. The camp-mcctings, which for about a quarter of a
century had Ikjcu held in Eastham, and were famous resorta
for the primitive Methodists, were found to be inaccessible,
and had been for a year or two abandoned, when Yarmouth
was selected as a more desirable locality.

Hon. AVillium Sturgis died in Boston, Oct. 21, 1863,
aged 81 years. Mr. Sturgis was bom in Barnstable, and
at the early age of 19 years was in command of a ship.
His voyages to the noilhwest coast, to China and the East

280 CAPE COD.

Indies, were attended with adventures and perils of an
almost romantic character. He quitted the sea with a large
fortune and establislied himself in mercantile pursuits in
Boston. He was several years a member of the legislature.
He was a keen and witty debater and a valuable legislator.
He wrote much for the public journals, being an independent
thinker and possessed of an engaging style of composition.
As a public lectui*er he was greatly esteemed in departments
covered by his own experience and obser>'ation. He at one
time contributed over $1,000 to the Barnstable Agricultui'al
Society, to relieve it fi-om debt, and his heii*s have since his
death carried out the intention formed in his life-time, to
found and endow a public library for his native town,
Bam.^^table.

In 1864, May 2, ex-Judge Nymphas Marston died at his
residence in ^larston's Mills. He was born in that town in
Febmary, 1788. He graduated at Harvard college in 1807,
was educated for the legal profession, and was a very
successful and popular practitioner. He was county
attorney from 1816 to 1829. He was a member of the
constitutional convention of 1820, sciTcd a year in the
house of representatives, and was in the {*enate in the years
1826-7-8. In the latter year he was appointed judge of
Probate for Barnstable countv, and continued in office until
his resignation, in 1854.

December 30, Hon. Zenas D. Basset died in Hyannis,
aged 78 years. He was in early life engaged in commerce,
as master and owner of shipping, and kept up his latter
relation for many years thereafter. He was elected to the
state senate, serving in the years 1851-2, and was six years
on the board of county commissioners. He ^\•as also for
about twenty years pre>idcnt of the Barn>table County
Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

CAPE COD IN THE REBEI.IJON. 281

In 1865, Nov. 20, died in Tmro, Hon. Soioinoa Davis,
aged 05 years. Mr. Davis wos a native and constant
resident of tbut town. He bad held, besides a Dumber of
town offices, the positions of representative and senator in
the legislature, and was a member of the executive council
for tivo years, under the administration of Gov. Briggs.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1861-1865.

ISCl. Octo1>er, Frederic Hallet, coaucUlor-at-law, Tarmoutb, died,
agitd 25 j-«3i'8.

180:2. Mnrcb, Jouathftn Nlckerron, Esq., of Denols, died, aged 88.
He vrat, 10 yean « seleittman, and ieverBl years spec-ial count; com-
mlMtoner.

1804. Jan. 2, Cnpt. Isniab Crowell died in Soutb Yarmoutb. He bad
be«u a Bucc-e^ful iihiitmaijt«r, \ra« Inter repre«eulatire to the legb-
lature, and preaideut of tbe Barnstable Bauk of Tarmoutli.— Jan. 22,
Benjamin Burgess, Esq., West Sandwich, died, aged 80.— Sot. 21, th»
"First National Bank of Yarmouth," sacccssor lo the Barnstable
Bank, cbartered iiudcr the itaW laws, went into operation.

IWB. Jan. Vt. .Tob Chn^e, E»q„ Went Harwich, died.— April 8, tiro
men killed and one wounded in Harwich, wbile firing a talute over
Union rlctorlcB.— Dec. C, Cape Cod Central railroad, running from
Tarmoutb to Urlcnns, a distance of 18 mUet, opened to ptihllo travel.

CHAPTER XVII.

FROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES.

HBrittme Budiuess depreHsed at close of th« War— Cmnherrr Cultura
■■ a BusfnesB— Packets and Stage Coacbe* tb. Steam BoadH— Cape
Cod Railroad project*— Malls, Express Ltnea, MajnicClo Telegraplu
— Dlklug Provliioetoini Hnrhor— Base Riyer Brlrttrcs — Storm on
Buzzard's Bay — Machpee a Town— Death of Qen. Joseph E. Ham-
blin— Yarmouth Library Bulldiug— Wreck of Ship Peruriau—
LUe Sarlug nervice — Bon, Beth Crowell — Railroad to Provtuoe-
town— Nathan Freeroan'n doDntlou to Provluw-town — Cape Cod
Canal projects— Hon. tieorge Marvlon — Bourne liicorpomted—
Preeldent Gvaut viaited the Cape— Death of Amod OtU — Falmouth
Second Ceuteunial Celebration — Death of Hon. Nnth'l E. Atirood.
Hon. Joseph K. Bnker, and Hon. John B. D. L'o):«well — Quarter
Mtlleuitlnl Celebrfttinua in Sandn-k-h aud Yarmouth— Wreck of
Ship Ja^ou — Dt^ath of Capt. Thoinon P. Howes— Meniorlnl Tablet
at Provlucetowu — Baruitoble County Normiil S<*ool in Uynuuia,

HE wnr ended and the su|>reiiiacy of the
govomment assured, the uniiy was dis-
banded and the anion vc>hinteei\5 who had
• acted so jri-eat a pai-t, Uke Cromwell's
soldiery, once uiorc hcccmc private
citizens, ready to resume their old places
in the ranks of peaceful industry. But to
the soldiers and sailors of Cape Cod, tho:?c places no longer
remained open. X greut change, apparent even before the
dawQ of the reljellion, hut accflcintod hy it-f occurrence,
was evident in maritime business, in the modes of luarino
construction and tlie methods of the tninsportation of
mcrcliaiidise. Iron steanisliips and tlip remavkahfe develoii-

FROM WAR OP THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMEa 288

ment of railroad service all over the countiy are responsible
for this change. The vessels destroyed by confederate
cruisers, or allowed to decay in port, were not replaced by
new ones, and those already in .service became unremanera-
tive to a great extent. A large propoilion of the men of
Cape Cod, who had grown prosperous upon the sea and had
established comfortable homes here, were obliged to seek
new forms of industry and many of them removed to other
and distant fields of labor. The population of the county,
which, according to the U. S. census in 1860, had reached
its highest {>oint, 36,011, declined to 32,774 in 1870, to
31,945 in 1880, and to 29,172 in 1890. Whether this
downward course has at length been stayed, is what all are
asking, but which none can with confidence answer.

But for the development of the cranberry culture there is
every reason to believe that the decreasing tendency of the
numbers of our population would have been much greater
than it really proved. This pungent little berry has been
for years known to and esteemed by epicures, though until
recent years it has not been an article of popular consumption.
As long ago as 1677, the authorities of Massachusetts colony
tried to appease the wrath of King Charles II., who was
angry with them for coining *'pine tree" shillings, by
sending him a present of those three choice products of the
colony, ten barrels of cranberries, two hogsheads of samp
and three thousand codfish. The berry is indigenous to our
soil and is better developed here than in any other locality
in the country. About seventy years ago the experiment
was tried of cultivating this fruit. The first successful
cultivator seems to have been Mr. Henry Hall of Dennis,
who commenced the business in 1816 ; and Messrs. Zebina
H. Small, Cyrus Cahoon, Alvan Cahoon and Nathaniel
Robbins of Harwich were early and successfully engaged

^94 CAPE COD.

in the business, on an esctensivc scale. Shortly before the
war there was a con^iiderable development in this directioOy
and remarkable prices and great profits were recorded. The
unemployed men who had returned from the war, and those
who had lost their employment on ship1>oard, in many cases
found a business at their hand, and thousands of acres of
heretofore useless swamp land were reclaimed and cultivated
with success. AMien the supply of land became short on
Cape Cod, Cape men, who had aajuired skill and experience
-in this business, transferred their field of operations to the
adjoining towns of Plj^mouth county, which now has a
larger area of cranberry land under cultivation than the Cape,
though Cape skill and Cape capital are lai'gely in the ascendant
there. No strictly accurate figures of the business for several
years have been compiled, but proliably 150,000 barrels,
worth $1,000,000, would not much vary in amount and value
from the product of the Old Colony in 1895, the most pros-
perous year of the business. The preparation of the grounds,
the extermination of the noxious weeds, plants and insects,
the manufacture of packages for tmnsportation, and more
especially the gathering of the fruit in the fall, give
emploj'ment to hundreds of perjjons of both sexes and all
ages, generally of the younger generations. Many novel
inventions for greater facility in han-e&ting the crops have
<of late years been perfected, which aid in saving from the
destniction of the dread frosts a great portion of the
product, which would otherwise be ruined. There is about
3500 acres of cranberry land in Barnstable county, accord-
'ing to the assessors' returns, and the average cost, at $400
per acre, would make the total investment SI, 400,000.

In other ways than in their business pursuits the social
condition and usages of the people of Barnstable county
have greatly changed within the last third of a century.

FROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. 28S

Fifty years ago, almost the entire intercourse with Boston
and the outside world was carried on by means of sailing
packet lines. From every village of the inside shore of
the Cape one or more of these lines was maintained, and
passengers and merchandise were conveyed by them to and
from Boston. These lines were also maintained between
that city and Chatham, on the southeastern extreme of the
Cape, but the usual custom was to notify the south shore
dwellers of the time of departure and arrival of these
vessels, by signals hoisted on some eminence discernible to
the citizens of these \illages. Speed and comfoilable
accommodations were prime factors in these crafts, and a good
deal of rivalry exih^tcd among the owners, sailors and agents
of the vessels. The stage coaches ran daily for the
exclusive transportation of the mails, except in the instance
of what may be styled ''emergency passengers." Persona,
who had to reach their destination at a fixed time and dared
not trust to the uncertainties of the wind and water, were
given the facilities of these lines. One by one, as railroad
communication was established, these packets were with-
drawn, but not until they had encountered opposition from
steamboats from Kirnstable, about 1842-3, and several sepa-
rate periods thereafter. ProvincetowTi, alone, is the only
port in the county where daily steamboat communication with
Boston is attempted to be kept up nearly all the year 'round.
The Cape Cod Branch Railroad, as heretofore stated,
was opened to Sandwich in 1848, and extended to Hyannis
in 1854, and the Cape Cod Central was opened from
Yarmouth to Orleans in 1865, extended to Wellfleet in 1870,
and to Provincetown in 1873. In 1872 the railroad was
extended from Buzzard's Bay to Wood's Hole, at about
which time the steamboat line, which had been maintained
for several years between Hyannis and Nantucket, was

186 CAPE COD.

withdrawn. A branch railroad line from Harwich to
Chatham, opened in 1887, completed the senrice to this
oounty, leaving but one town — ^IVIashpee — without a railroad
line within its limits.

The rapid intercourse with the outside world, which this
new facility for travel established, did not change the habits
of the people of this county so greatly as it would have
done a more rural community, as in every village were
* scores of those who, some of them with their families, had
visited all portions of the habitable globe, and were well
acquainted with the ways of the world. But, nevertheless,
the steam cars brought many changes, such as rapid transit
of travellers, twice-daily mails, and express companies for
the quick despatch of merchandise.

The evolution of the mail service Avithin the limits of the
county had progressed slowly, in consequence of our being
remote from any line of travel between the great cities, and
the isolated situation of the towns. A post route between
Cambridge and Falmouth, via Plymouth and Sandwich, was
established in 1775, Joseph Nye being named as the
postmaster of the latter town, and Moses Swift of Falmouth.
Thursday, 8 o'clock, a. m., was the date of arrival at
Falmouth, and Thursday noon the date of departure for
Cambridge. This was doubtless a temix)rary arrangement,
called out by the exigencies of the war. The U. S. mail to
Sandwich and Falmouth was established about a century
ago. The first U. S. mail between Boston and Barnstable
was established in 1792, when the Postmaster-General
contracted with John Thacher, of the latter town, to perform
the service for $1.00 per day, against the protests of the
party of economy, which existed then as now. It took two
days to go and two to return, and the service was perfoimed
on horseback, the mail being carried on one side of a

FBOM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. 287

saddlebag and the other side reserved for packages. A
post-office was established in Rircstable probably the same
year, in Yarmouth in 1795, and in Harwich in 1798. The
latter year, Pro\'incetown in town meeting voted *'to petition
to have a post come down to the Cape," and in 1801 the
post-office was established and a postmaster appointed.
During the war of 1812-15, the mails were brought to
Barnstable and Yarmouth twice each week, about 1820
three times each week, and in 1837 daily. Below Yarmouth
the service remained for many years at once per week.
When i>eace with Great Britain was declared, in 1815, as
we learn from a letter written by Josiah Whitman,
postmaster at AVcllfleet, "by the uncommon severity of
the weather, the then mail carrier, Mr. Davis, did not go
through the route for three weeks. On the week after the
news of peace reached Boston, Mr. Thacher came down
with the mail, and at that time there was an almost
impossibility of travelling, on account of the snow being
drifted, but he, knowing the route so well and every
by-path, did accomplish it. The next week we had no mail
arrived." In 1820, a petition was circulated in the lower
towns to have a mail t^vice a week, which was established
soon after. In the winter, the mail carrier used to take
with him a saw and axe to clear obstructions when a snow
stoiiu compelled him to cross the fields, the towns not being
accustomed to clear the highways from snow. About 1830,
the service was extended to Provincetown three times a
week, and daily, about 1846. From this to a double service
daily upon the advent of the steam cars was a notable
change, which effected many innovations in the social and
business customs of the people.

The railway postal ser\'ice which followed was initiated in
1855, when one man started from Boston in the morning in

288 CAPE COD.

charge of the mails , with authoiity to lake and despatch
letters along the route to Hyannis, returning in the afternoon
to Boston. One pouch .was sufficient for the letters and a
few sacks for the newspaper mail, where now from 150 to
200 pouches per day are required. The pi*esent force
comprises six clerks, running through the entire route.

An express line, known as the Cape Cod Expi*ess Co.,
was established in 1848, and ran from Boston, following the
extension of the railroad service. In 1877, the New York
and Boston Despatch Express Company commenced covering
the same territory, and after two and a half years of
competition, the two companies were united under the name
of the latter.

Communication by magnetic telegraph was established
between Boston and the Cape, in 1855. Two lines, in fact,
were projected and put in operation about the same time,
one known as the Boston & Cape Cod Marine Telegraph
Company, the other as the Cape Cod Telegi'aph Company.
The two lines, after a lively competition of two or three
years, were "consolidated," and were then ** absorbed " by
the Western Union Telegraph Company. A telegraphic
cable, in 1856, was extended from Xobsque Point to Gay
Head, a distance of 3J miles. The same year a cable 14
miles long was laid from Monomoy to Great Point in
Nantucket. Communication was for two days transmitted
through it, but the force of the current or some other cause
broke the cable and the enterprise was abandoned. In
1858, a cable was laid across Muskeget channel, and cstal)-
lished telegraphic communication between Edgartown and
Nantucket. There were frequent obstructions and the eal)le
was abandoned in 1861. Other lines l)etween the :nain land
and the islands were attempted, and after a while abandoned.
In 1887, Congress having made an appropriation to maintain

FROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. 'JtS9

a cable from Wood's Hole to Nantucket, via the Vineyard,
as an auxiliary to the life sa^'ing service, also permitting the
transmission of -news and commercial messaires, communi-
cation, with occasional interruptions, has since been main-
tamed. This method of transmittin<r intelli;rence was
supplemented, in 1882, by telephone service by the New
Bedford system, with offices in West Barnstable, Ostcrville,
Hyannis, Cotuit and ilarston's Mills, and the following
year the service was extended to the remaining towns below
Barnstable. Thus the man-els of half a centmy ago became
the every-da^" incidents and instrumentalities of our own
times.

Having recounted the chief agencies which have trans-
foimed the Cape Cod of the fathers to the Cape Cod as this
generation knows it, the following pages will record only
the more striking and prominent events in the memory of
the generation now on the stage of action.

The dangers which threatened Pi'ovincetown harbor by
the rapid wearing away by the action of the tides and
currents of the outer beach which protected East Har1x)r,
became so imminent, that, in the failure of the general
government to take remedial measures, the le<rislature of
Massachusetts passed a resolve which was approved ^lay 9,
1807, appropriating $100,000 for constructing a sea wall or
other solid and permanent structure across the opening of
East Harbor. The commissioners appointed to superin-
tend the work were James B. Francis of Lowell, Richard
A. Pierce of New Bedford and James Gifford of
Provincetown. Mr. Francis, who was a skillful civil
engineer, originated and planned the work, which was
accepted by the authorities, and Mr. Paul of Lowell had
charge of the construction and superstructure. After a

290 CAPE COD.

careful survey of Prorineeto\rn harbor and the channel^ the
current and the waters adjacent to the projected dike, by
the Lite Henry L. Whiting, for the purpose of verifying
the alleged fact of the deposits of sand by the current
from Ea:5t harbor into Provincctown harbor, and after
making experiments by driving tongues and ground piles in
the channel between the north end of Beach Point, in Truro,
and the opposite bank in Province town, and considering all
the contingencies liable to occur, Mr. Francis became
convinced that the appropriation was insufficient for the
work required, and $50,000 more was appropriated 3^Iay 20,
1868. The work has proved most efficacious for the end
sought, and has doubtless saved that important harl>or fi'om
destruction at that point. After the work had so far
proceeded as to exclude the tide from passing the dike, Mr.
Francis resigned. Subsequently, upon the death of Gen.
Pierce, George iiarston of Barnstable was appointed on
the commission, and ser^'ed until the completion of the
work. Since lJ^77, the dike has been employed as a road
bed between Pn^vincetown and Truro. The total cost to
the state was $133,250.

By an act of the Massachusetts legislature of 1869, the
Upper and Lower bridges connecting Yarmouth and
Dennis, the only toll bridges in the county, were made fi*ee
to the public. By the terms of the act, the supreme judicial
court was authorized to appoint three commissioners, to
make a valuation of the property and apportion the cost and
maintenance among the count}* and several towns interested.
The court appointed Hon. Thomas D. Eliot and Andrew T.
Wood of New Bedford and Hon. Alfred ^lacy of Nantucket,
as comimissioners, who, after several hearings, made a decree,
which was confirmed by the court, viz. :

Valuation of lower bridge, $9,928.14. Seven-fourteenths

JOSEPH E. HAMBLIN.

FROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWS TIMES. 251

to be paid by count}' of Banistable, $4,964.22 ; 3-14ths by
town of Yarmouth, $2,127.50; 3-14ths by town of Dennis,
$2,127.52 ; 1.14th by town of Harwich, $709.18. And for
the future maintenance of the bridge, the town of Dennis
to i)ay 4-llths, town of Yarmouth 4-llths, town of Harwich
1-1 llh, county of Barnstable 2-llths. Valuation of upper
bridge, $758.71. }5-lGths, $379.35, was to l^e paid by the
county of Barnstable, 3-lGths, $142.26, bj^ town of
Yarmouth, 3-16ths, $142.26, by town of Dennis, 2-16th8,
$94.84, l)y town of Harwich. And for its maintenance the
county of Barnstable to pay 4-16th8 of expense, town of
Yarmouth 5-16ths, town o'f Dennis 5-16ths, and town of
Harwich 2-16ths.

A great storm, which occuiTed in the northerly region of
Buzzard's Bay, Sept. 8, 1869, rivalled in destructive power
that of 1635, of which Bradford speaks in his history. The
wind which came from the bay blew a hurricane, the tide
was the highest of record for two hundred and thiily-four
years. Buildings were in some places moved a considerable
distance, in one or two cases directly obstructing the rail-
road track, trees prostrated, bridges carried away, railroad
)>eds undermined and washed away in several places.

By an act of the legislature of May 28, 1870, the district
of Mashpee was incorporated as a town, making the
fourteenth in the county. A post-office was established
here the same year.

July 3, 1870, Brevet Brigadier-General Joseph E.
Hamblin died in New York. He was a native of Yarmouth,
where he was born January 13, 1828. He was the most
distinguished soldier which Cape Cod contributed to the
national cause in the War of the Rebellion.*

A new library building, which was presented to his

♦See page 277.

292 CAPE COD.

native town, Yarmouth, by Nathan jMatthews, Esq., of
Boston, was dedicated with proper observances, Dec. 20,
1871. An address was delivered by Hon. John B. D.
Cogswell, and President Eliot of Harvard college, and
other gentlemen participated in the seiTices. Mr. Matthews
also contributed other funds to the library on the condition,
which was acceded to, that an existing library with some
three thousand volumes, owned by stockholders, should be
merged with the new association, which was to be made free
to all the people of the town.

The treaty of Washington, which was negotiated in 1871,
and which was in agitation the close of that year and
beginning of 1872, by which the fishery products of the
Dominion of Canada were to be admitted into the United
States free of duty, was regarded as extremely harmful to
the interests of this county, as afterwai'ds proved to be the
case. A meeting of those interested in the fisheries met in
Harwich in December, and apj^ointed delegates to go to
Washington, to oppose the ratification of the treaty, but
their efforts were unavailing.

One of the most disastrous shipwrecks of modern time
occurred Dec. 28, 1872, by which the ship PcruWan, from
Singapore for Boston, was stranded on that graveyard of
shipping, Peaked Hill bars, off Provincetown, with twenty-
five lives lost, and with a cargo vahicd at $1,000,000, which
was either lost or great Ij' damaged.

The reorganized life saving service established by the
United States government went into operation under its
present system, Jan. 21, 1^13. The service was originally
established in detached localities on the coast in 1848,
through the efforts of Hon. William A. Xewell, represen-
tative in Congress from New Jersey, whose humane and
beneficent efforts deserve to be held in grateful rcmeml)rance

FROM WAR OP THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMEa 2«

by those who go down to the sea in ships. But, though
accomplishing great good, the organization was seen to be
defective. By the act of Congress of June 10, 1872, the
service was extended to Cape Cod, and Benjamin C. Sparrow
of East Orleans was appointed superintendent of the
Massachusetts district, ten stations being designated, viz. :
Eace Point, Peaked Hill Bars, High Head, Provincetown ;
Highland, Pamet River, Tmro ; Cahoon's Hollow, Wellfleet ;
Nauset, Eastham; Orleans, East Orleans; Chatham and
Monomoy, Chatham. Several additional stations and
changes of location have occurred since their fii*st establish-
ment.

Hon. Seth Crowell of East Dennis died at his home
April 1, 1873. He was a shipmaster of repute. He was
four years representative, two years senator, nine year^
county commissioner, several years president of the First
National Bank of Yarmouth, and a member of the Consti-
tuticmal convention of 1853.

The opening of the Cape Cod Railroad to Provincetown,
giving additional transit from Boston to that place, a distance
of one hundred and twenty miles, was celebrated July 22,
1873, Tvith enthusiastic demonstration of joy and gladness,
as the importance of the event to the people of the towns
justified them in doing.

Dec. 11, Nathan Freeman, Esq., an honored citizen,
while still living presented to the town of Provincetown a
building to be used for a public library, for rooms for the
Young Men's Christian Association, and other similar
purposes.

The first visit of a chief masistrate of the nation to this
region while in office was made by President Grant,
August 28, 1874. He was accompanied by Mrs. Grant, and
by Mr. Belknap, secretary of war, and Mr. Jewell, post-

2M CAPE COD.

master-general, and by a numl)er of personal friends. The
party came from Nantucket, via Ilyannis, and from that
point to Provincetown many demonstrations of respect
were made at every station at which the train 8toi)ped.
After remaining several hours at Provincetown, the party
returned in the evening.

Oct. 19, 1875, Amos Otis, Esq., of Yarmouth, departed
this life, at the age of 74 years. Mr. Otis was a native of
Barnstable, was in early life a teacher, and afterwai'ds
became cashier of Barnstable Bank in Yarmoutli, and its
successor, the First National, and secretary and treasurer of
the Barnstable County Mutual Fire Insurance Company,
which positions he occupied for nearly forty years. He
was a prolific and interesting writer, his most conspicuous
service to the cause of letters being his reseaix^hes and
publications of matters of local history. His collected
papers, entitled "Genealogical Notes of Bamstablc
Families," exhibit persevering research, a tender sympathy
and appreciation for the founders of the town, and a
discriminating judgment of their aits and motives.

August 31, 18^2, Hon. Marshall S. Underwood died in
South Dennis. He was a son of Rev. Nathan Underwood
of Harwich, where he was born. He was many times
called to fill positions of honor and trust, having been four
years representative from Dennis, two j'cars senator, two
years a mem!)er of the executive council, and a presidential
elector in 1880.

By an act ajiproved June 26, 188^^, a charter was gninted
to the Cape Cod Ship Canal company to cont^truct a canal to
unite the waters of Bjirnstable and Buzzard's 1)ays. This
act was amended by the act of ilay 27, 18S4, l>y changing
the location of the Buzzard's bav teniiinus and several other
provisions. By a resolve of June 4, 1884, the legislature

PROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. 285

commended the subject to the favonible con:»ide ration of
Cons^css, as a work of great national im])ortunce, and
wojithy of substantial assistance from the national govern-
ment. As this was the only one of many projects of tlie
kind which resulted in active operations, and in which an
effort was made in good faith to accpmplish the work, a
retrospect of the various })hases of this much agitated
enterprise may be properly made here, althi)ugh the recital
will necessitate traversing some portion of the groimd
already covered. The digging of a canal across the Cape
has at various points been a favorite scheme at times for the
last two centuries. In 1717, Avhen the pii-ate ship AVhidah
was wrecked at Welllleet, after a great storm, Capt. Cyprian
Southack from Boston sailed with a whaleboat throuajh the
channel which waCs forced bj' the sea, near the point which
defines the boundary between Eastham and Orleans. This
channel was closed after the storm subsided. An
application, which was afterwards made to the legislature
for permission to dig a {permanent channel, by legalizing a
lotterj' to promote the object, was never earned into effect.
About sixty years ago the project of a canal from Hyannis
to Barubtable harbor, through the towns of Barnstable and
Yarmoutli, was agitated, and the region was surveyed by
U. S. engineers. The Bass liiver route has of late years been
brought into prominence, and a charter was giTintcJ in 1895,
which was never opemtcd. The route between Barnstable
and Buzzard's l>a3's has always attracted greater attention,
from tlie fact tliat it avoided the outside passage around the
Cai)e, with its numerous shoals and dangerous obstructions
to sailing crafts. Official notice of this project was taken
as early as 1G98,* when a conunittee of the general court
was raised to consider the subject, as already set forth.

♦See i»a^e 135.

296 CAPE COD.

Again in 1776, the council and general court, and also the
general court in 1791, passed resolves favoring its execution.
In 1818, private parties considered the project, and surveys
of the route were made. In 1824, the federal government
made surveys under the direction of officers detailed by the
secretary of war. A very favomble rei>ort was made to
Congress, and but for the election of General Jackson to
the presidency and the change of policy of the government
on the subject of internal improvements, it is most probable
that the work would have been commenced. The report
favored the constiniction of locks to overcome tlie difficulties
resulting from the difference in the time of the tides in the
two bays, which has been the problem which other engineers
have sou2:ht to solve. The lc<rislature again considered the
matter in 1829, and, in 1860, the state, in conjunction with
the general government, caused elaborate sur\''eys to be
made, upon which favorable reports were submitted. In
1870, Gen. Foster, then iu the employment of the govern-
ment, examined and reported upon this route, as did Mr.
Clemens Herschcll, an eminent engineer, whose report M'as
made in 1878. About this time a charter was granted for
the construction of the canal to private individuals, who
procured the Herschcll survey. At that time there existed
a very strong sentiment in Massachusetts in favor of the
canal, and a most liberal charter was gianted. The
corporators, at the head of whom was Mr. Henry M.
Whitney, largely interested in coastwise steamship transpor-
tation interests, after a delibcrata investigation, abandoned
tlie enterprise, as involving too great a risk and not assuring
sufficiently favomble results. From that time to the
present, the subject of the construction of the canal has
almost annually engajred the attention of the legislature,
five or six charters having been granted for the purpose.

FROM WAR OF THE REDELLIOX TO OUR OWN TIMES. 207

The history of nearly' all these organizations has Ijeen a
record of failure, disappoint men t and unfultilled pledges by
their promoters.

Operations were vigorously commenced under the charter
of 168-4. The sum of $200,000, required by the charter to
be deposited with the state treasurer, as security for the
faithful perfomiance of the obligations imposed by the
incoiporate act, was promptly paid in and land along the
cour^^o of the projected canal was bonded. The work of
excavation commenced at the Sandwich end of the route.
A deep channel exceeding a mile in length was excavated
by a steam dredger in the marsh}' land, to a point near the
village of Sagamore, but at the end of about two yesLVs the
work was abandcmed and the charter lajised. It is well
understood that the experiment proved a verj' costly one to
its promotera, and in 1897, by a decree of the supreme
coui-t, the deix)sit of $200,000 was devoted to the payment
of land damages, to liquidate the claims for labor performed
or furnished in the construction of the canal, and the
balance revelled to the agent of the parties furnishing the
capital.

August 11, 1883, Hon. George Marston died in New
Bedford, where he had resided for several years, having
removed there from his native town, Barnstable, in which
he was born October 15, 1821. Mr. Marston was a jury
lawyer of exceptional ability and influence. He represented
Barnstable one 3'ear in the legislature, was register of
prol)ate from 1853 to 1855, judge* of probate, 1855 to 1858,
until the consolidation of the courts of probate and
insolvenc3'. In lci59 he was elected district attoniey for
the Southern di&trict of Massachusetts, and, in 1878, was
elected attorney general of the state, which office he held
for four consecutive terms. Mr. ^Marston was a brilliant

288 CAPE COD.

and interesting public 8i)eaker, and his few public addresses
which have been published possess much literary merit.

The town of Bourne was created by an act of the
legislature approved April 2, 1884, the territory set off
being the western portion of Sandwich, with nearly half tho
population and valuation of the town. The name selected
was probably suggested by the memoiy of that early and
devoted citizen of the parent town, so inseparably connected
with the cause of the aborigines, and some of whose
descendants, of wide and honomble reputation, were bom
within the limits of the new town. This accession made the
fifteenth town in the county.

The town of Falmouth celebrated, with much enthusiasm,
the bi-centennial of its incoi-ponition, Juno 2, 1886. There
was a procession, dinner in a large pavilion erected for the
purpose, an historical address by Gen. John L. Swift,
a native of the town, and speeches at the dinner by His
Excellency Gov. Robinsson, Hon. AVm. W. Crapo, and a
number of the native citizens of the town.

In 1886, the county sustained the loss of an unusual
number of its valued citizens. Capt. Xjithaniol E. Atwood
died in ProvincetoAvn Nov. 7, of that year, aged 70. Cupt.
Atwood enjoyed l>ut few educational advantages in early
life, but his natural abilities caused him, while engaged in
the avocation of a fisherman, to criticall}' ohseiTC tho habits
of fish, so that he was consulted 1)V naturalists and formed
a permanent friendship with Storer and Agassiz, who
pi-onounced him "the l>cst practical ichthyologist living.'*
He sensed two vears in the house of representatives, and
three years in the senate of ^Massachusetts. He also
delivered a series of addresses in the Lowell lecture course
in Boston, besides many occasional addresses on his favorite
theme.

FROM WAR OP THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. 2X»

Following Capt. Atwood, only fire days after, Nov. 12,
Hon. Joseph K. Baker departed this life, very suddenly, at
his home in Dennis. Entering the same pursuit as Capt.
Atwood in early life, and soon after upon that of fitting and
managing vessels for sea service, he successfuUj' pursued
this business until the decline of the fisheries. Mr. Baker,
besides holding many local offices, was two years a
representative from Dennis, two years senator from the
Cape district, four years a member of the executive council,
and also of the commission on harbors and public lands.
He was also a member, and high in the councils, of the
Masonic fraternity, and director in railroad companies and
banking institutions, enjoying a wide personal popularity.
His a^e was 59 years.

Rev. Azariah Eldridge, D. D., died at his home in
Yarmouthix)rt, October 1, 1888. He was born in Yarmouth,
Feb. 30, 1820, gi-aduated at Yale college, in 1841, was
settled over the North Congregational church, Now Bedford,
from 1847 to 1856, and over the Fort-street Congregational
church, in Detroit, Michigan, from 1858 to 1865. He was
in charge of the American chapel in Paris, France, from
1866 to 1868. Dr. Eldridge settled in Yarmouth about
1875. He was a member of the Republican national
convention in 1881, and Presidential elector in 1884, and
ten years president of the Barnstable County Agricultural
Society. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity
from Hamilton college, in 1863.

June 10, 1889, Hon. John B. D. Cogswell died in
Haverhill, Mass. He was the son of Rev. Nathaniel
Cogswell of Yarmouth, where he was born June 6, 1829.
He was graduated at Dartmouth college, studied for the
legal profession, and in 1857 was a representative from
AVorcester in the Massachusetts legislature. He afterwards

800 CAPE COD.

settled in Milwaukee^ Wisconsin, and was several years TJ.
S. district attorney for that state. In 1872, having returned
to Massachusetts, he was elected a representative from the
First district of Barnstable county and was twice re-elected.
In 1877-8-9, he was senator for the Cape district, serving
the three years as president of that bod3\ He made a most
efficient and accomplished presiding officer. As an orator,
Mr. Cogswell was highly esteemed for graceful rhetoric and
wide information.

The two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of what is
termed the incorporation of the towns of Sandwich and
Yarmouth was fitly commemorated in 1889. September 3,
1639, being the date when those two towns were recognized
as such, by being represented in the first colonial represen-
tative assembly, was taken as that of their corporate
existence. The Sunday previous was ol)servcd in Yaimouth
bv sen'ices in the Conirre«jational church. Bev. John W.
Dodge, pastor of the First church, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah
Taylor, Rev. C. A. Bradley, Rev. G. I. Ward, Revs.
Atwood and Osirood ; and Messrs. Thomas Prince Howes
and Joshua C. Howes, representing the Dennis portion of
Old Yannouth, pailicipated in the exercises.

The observances in Yarmouth, on the 3d, consisted of a
procession, under the marshalship of Mr. John Simpkins,
along the streets of the town, which were tii&tefully
decorated, an address in the Congregational church, by
Philip H. Sears, P>.sq. of Boston, a dinner in the pavilion,
erected on a portion of the first parsonage grounds, at which
Henry C. Thacher, Escj. presided. Addresses were made
by Lieut.-Goveruer Brackott, and Treasurer ilarden,
representing the Commonwealth of ^Massachusetts, Mr. A.
H. Hardy, represcntinir the Boston Cape Cod Association,
Hon. Wm. W. Crapo, Rev. John W. Dodge, Capt. Thomas

FKOM WAR OF THE nEBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMEa 801

P. Howes, Judjre Darias Baker of Newport, and a i>oem
■was read written for the occasion hy Mrs. JIary SI. Bray.
There was a oouocrt and dance in the evening at the
Xobscussett House, Dennis, which closed a most interesting
occasion.

Sandwich, on the sitmc day, celebrated the occasion on a
Scale comiiiensurate with its importance. Bourne, being a
[)ortion uf the oiiginat Sandwich, as Dennis was of
Yai'iuoutb, participated in the obsenauces. Tlic decorations
of the town were clabomte and tasteful, and the procession,
under the uiarshaUIiip of Mr. AViii. A. Nye, paraded through
the priiicii>al streets of the town. The exercises were held
in the Casino. Hon. Ciiarles Dillinglmm presided and
made a speech of welcome, and afterwards introduced Rev.
X. H. Chamberlain, who was the orator of the day. A
dinner was iiervcd in a mammoth tent, after which, under
the Biwpices of Toastmaster Frank H. Pojie, sentiment*
appropriate to the occasion were responded to by ex-GoT.
•lohn D. Long, Gen. John L. Swift, Hon. Charles S.
Eiandall, Cdl. Myron P. Walker, Mr. Charles E. Pope. An
ode, written by Mr. Daniel F. Chessman, was sung to the
tune of "America," In the evening there were fireworks, a
ball, and a Venetian boat carnival. It was a matter of regret
that the three towns of the county, dating their origin on
the same year, could not have had a union festival, hut it
was a natural feeling with each to wish to obsen'c this natal
day on its own hcartlistone, and amid accustomed ucenes.
and surroundings.

WH CAPE COD.

The original design of this narrative was to cover the two
and a half centuries since the settlement and incorporation
of the first townships of the Ca|>e. Since the fulfilment of
this purpose various matters have transpired which should
be put on record, in order to complete the stoiy of the
county's history up to the present time, which will be found
recorded in chronological order.

A memorable shipwreck occurred Dec. 5, 1893, on the
outer side of the Cape, opposite the South Truro shore.
British ship Jason, from Calcutta for Boston, with a
valuable cargo, was stranded on the shoals and went to
pieces, and all the crew but one man, 24 in number, lost
their lives.

The state of Massachusetts, by the action of the legislar
ture of 1893, undertook the preservation and improvement
of the long neglected Province lands, located in Province-
town, comprising about 3100 acres. Their care and custody
were given to the board of commissioners of harboi's and
public lands, and $3000 was api)r()priated in 1894, $3500 in
1895, and $3500 in 1SM(5, which was ex})en(led in planting
trees, constructing roads and paths, and other improvements.
James A. Small is superintendent in charge.

The cause of historical research and elucidation and the
roll of good citizenship suffered severe loss in the sudden
death, June 26, 1894, of Capt. Thomas Prince Howes of
Dennis, at the age of 77 years. Capt. Howes had
commanded several ships in the foreign trade, and in the
ports which he visited imi)roved all the opportunities open
to him to acquaint himself with the people and their customs
and institutions. He was an extensive investigator and
reader, and his knowledge of English literature was wide
and discriminating. After his retirement from the sea, he
served for several years as superintendent of schools for the

FROM WAR OP THE REBELLION TO OUR OVTS TIMES. 803

town of Dennis, for two sessions as representative in the
legislature, and several years after as pilot commissioner of
the port of Boston.. He wrote much upon subjects of local
history, as well as upon topics of general interest, and had
wide knowledge and appreciation of the forefathers of the
town and county ; and the memory of one who has done so
much to keep alive the names and acts of the woi*thies of
the Cape, will be in like manner cherished by his
contemporaries.

July 14, 1896, obsenances connected with the erection
of a Memorial tablet in the space in front of Town hall,
Pro\'incctown, under the auspices of the Old Colony Com-
mission, to commemomte the first landing of the Pilgrims
and the signing in that harbor on board the Mayflower of
the compact or constitution of government, was held in the
hall, in presence of a large concourse of citizens. Addresses
appropriate to the occasion were made by the presiding
officer, A. P. Hannum, Hon. Wm. T. Davis, Henry A.
Thomas, secretary to the govenior, and other gentlemen.
The tablet on one side of the memorial stone bears a
representation in relief of the signing of the compact,
coi)ied from a marble ta])let on the Pilgrim National
Monument at Plj'mouth, and also the follo\ving commemo-
rjitive inscrii)tion : —

This Memorial Stone is erected by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts to commemorate the Compact or Constitution
of Government signed by the Pilgrims on board the
** Mayflower" in Provincetown harlwr, November 11, 1620,
(old style,)

On the re^'erse is a copy of the Compact, with the names
of the signers.*

June 6, 1894, the bill establishing a normal school in

♦Si*e pa^o 22.

804 CAP£ COD.

Barnstable county received the assent of the governor, the
place of its location to be determined by the state board of
education. After hearings, in which the claims of several
towns for the site of the school buildings were set forth^
the board decided upon Hyannis. Dec. 26, the town of
Barnstable voted to appropriate $20,000 to erect a building
for a high school, and for a training school in connection
with the normal school, and the structure was at once put
under contract, and completed with all reasonable speed. It
was ready for occupancy and opened for use the succeeding
fall. Jan. 24, 1896, this building was destroyed by fire,
which communicated in some mysterious manner. Subse-
quently the structure was rebuilt on a somewhat improved
plan, and the normal school stmcture, which was commenced
in the summer of 1896, was completed for occupancy Sept.
9, 1807. Mr. W. A. Baldwin is the principal of the school.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1866-1897.

18G6. May 7, Cnpt. Timothy Hallet, Yarmouth, died, aged 86 year?.—
Capt. B. P. Howes of Deuuis murdered by pirates on board the brig
Lubra, of which he was master, in Chiue.-e waters.— Aug. 25, Paul
Crowell, Sandwich, died, aged i<S years.— Sept. 22, Thomas Hall, Esq.,
Dennis, selectman, died, aged 66.

1867. June 1, Rosunna Howes, the last of 11 children of Isaac Hallet
of Yarmouth, whose ages aggregated 827 year?, died, at the age of 80.
One sister of the family, Mrs. Elizabeth Gorham, att^iined the age of
97 years.

1868. June 24, E])enezer Bacon, Esq., of Barnstable, died, aged 73.
He was for many years county treasurer, and later, for two torms, or
about eight years, collector of customs for the district of Barnstable.

1880. Feb. 26, ftre in Sandwich. Several stores and business places
burned. Loss, f20,<y)0 to •'r25,fKH).— Xi)v. 3, house of Xiithuu Downey, in
Harwich, ])uriied. His two children, aged 4 and 6 years, peri^hed in
the flames.— Dec. 27, dedication of new house of worship of New
Church society, Yarmout)i.

CHRONOLOGY OP EVENTS. 305

1870. Nov. 20, First Congregatioual meetiug-hou<3ie, in Yarmouth,
dedicated.

1871. Jan. 20, Capt. Beiijamiii Dyer of Truro diod.— Doc. 6, pubUc
meetiu;; in BLarwich to take nieai^ures to prote:4t ag.iiu.a i\w adoptiou
of the flsshery clause of the Washiugtou treaty.— Deo. 20, dciication
of Yarmouth public library.

1870. Dec. 9-10, 767 blaekfl^h, yielding 1020 barrels, oil, captured at
various poiuts on the iu«itle shore of the Cape.

1871. D'HJ. 28, opening of railroad to Wellfleet.

18?i. Feb. 15, Luther Child, E»«ci., of We^t DeunU, died, aged 84
year:^.— Feb. 21, Nehemiah Crowell, Esq., We^t Dennis, di»Mi, aged 70. —
Extreme cold weather in the mouthrit of January and February. —
April, consolidation of Cape Cod and Old Colony railroad companies.
—July 4, Hon. Cyrus Week**'*, South Harwich, died, ag.?i ?J.— July 8,
Dr. Franklin Dodge, Harwich, died, aged 62.

187JJ. March 3, destruction b}- Are of house of Mrs. Jo.iah Foster, in
Provincctown ; the flrsit house burned in that town for a i>eriod
of sixty year«.— Aug. 0, death of Eben S. Smith, Esq., of Provincetowu,
for many j'ears underwriters' agent and i)rominent in ])Ur«iness circles.
— Aug. 24, de^tructive gale in Gulf of St. Lainrence; numl>er of Cape
citizent* lust their lives and much shipping destroyed.

1874. Jan. 24, schooner Franklin Rogers of Chatham, capsized in
Boston harbor and three men drowned.— Feb. 16, Capt. John Eldridg^,
Yarmouth, former Liverpool packet commander, died, aged 75. —
March 25, Rev. Nathaniel Cogswell, Yarmonth, died, aged 80.— May 17,.
opening of public library in Provincctown. — May 30, dedication of
new L^niversalist church in Hyannis.— Sept. 12, great school of black-
fish driven ashore at Truro.

1876. Feb. 22, Dr. George Shove, Yarmouth, died, aged 57.— March 4,
Italian barque Giovanni wrecked at Truro Highlands. Fourteen Htc*
lost.— April 1, Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D. D., a native of Yarmouth,
died at Norfolk, Conn.— July 5, Capt. Allen H. Knowles of Yarmouth
died.— Nov. 27, Capt. Josiah Gorham of Yarmouth died.

1876. Jan. 13, David Snow of Boston, a native of Orleans, died in
Boston, aged 77.— Jan. 20, a fire occurred in Harwich, which destroyed
Cape Cod Exchange, Brett's block; dwelling house and several stores
injured. Loss estimated at 835,000.— Jan. 27, Nathan Freeman, Esq.,
president of Provincet-own bank, died, aged 78.— Jan. 28, Ezra H.
Baker, native of Dennis, died in Boston. He was a well-known
capitalist, and one of the ijroraoters of the Union Pacific railroad. —
May 2, Rev. Asahel Cobb of Sandwich died, aged 83.— May 16, Dr.
Thomtis N. Stone of Wellfleet, poet, orator, legi>»lator, died, aged 58. —
May 25, Capt. Franklin Hallet, a native of Yarmouth, died in
Liverpool, Eng. He had commanded steamers in the Boston 9l
Liverpool line.

1877. Feb. 16, the Town hall and High school house on High Pole hill, in

906 CAPE COD.

ProTincetown, destroyed by fire. — May 0, FrauoU Bacon, Banuitable«
died, aged 72.— Dec. 10, Rev. James Barnaby ol West Haiwioh died,
aged 01 years. He had been identified with the Baptist society there
at different time!), for nearly fifty years.

1878. Jan 22, E. K. Collins, a native of Truro, and founder of the
line of steamers 1)eariug his name, died in New Tork.~Feb. 4,
Frederick Scudder, many years county treasurer and register of
deeds, died in Hyauuis.— April 20, 600 acres woodland burned over in
Truro woods.— May 24, Hon. Freeman Cobb of Brewster died iu South
Africa.— Oct. 11-12, :;eTere storm, by which trees were uprooted, spires
blown over, great damage done to shipping on the coast.

1870. Jan. 12, Capt. Frederick Nickerson of Brewster died in Boston.
—Jan. 28, Thomas Gray, merchant, a native of Yarmouth, died in
Boston.— Feb. 25, Deacon John Muuroe, many years treac^urer of
Barnstable institution for savings, died in Cambridge, aged 04 years. —
May 1, Wm. E. Boyden, Sandwich, stap:e proprietor and business man,
died.— May 1, Edith Freeman murdered by her father, Chas. F. Freeman,
at Pocasset, iu a period of fanatical frenzy.— May IC, new Barnstable
county Jail occupied for the first time.— Aug. 18, great storm and
destruction of vessel and harbor pi-operty in Proviucctown, Harwich,
Dennlsport, Chatham, Hyaunis aud other places.— Sept. 2, Cupt. Peter
Harding, shipping agent, a native of Dcnni>, died iu Baltimore.—
Sept. 11, Capt. B. 3. Youug of Well fleet died.— Xjv. 7, Hon. Levi L.
Qoodspeed died iu West Bai'ustable. He had been a member of the
executive eouucil and sfaeriil of Barnstable county. — Xov. 16, French
Atlantic cable laid in North Eastham. Terminus afterwards removed
to Orleans.

1880. Feb. 28, .Toj«eph Xickersou, railroad projer-tor and eapitali:<t, a
native of Brewster, died iu Boc^coii. — March 14, Fraitkliu Suow,
merchant, a uutive of Orleaus, died iu Boston.— March 29, Henry V.
Spurr, Eitq., died iu Sandwich.— June 17, Heraan C. Chase, Esq., died
in West Yarmouth.— Julys, Jacobs. Howes, k(H»perof Sandy Xeckli;;ht-
hou^e, died.— Xov. 30, Capt. Atkins and two of Provinoetown life-
saving crew, No. 7, lost their lives while rescuing crew of a wrecked
vesseL— Dec. 5, E. X. Wiuslow, many years sup<*rintendeut of Cape
Cod railroad, died at U. S. Hotel, Boston.— Dec. 22, Village hall,
Yarmouth, destroyed by fire.

1S8L Jan. 6, Hon. Erasmus Gould, ex-senator aud president of
Falmouth Bank, died.— March 23, Hon. John Donne of Orleans died.
He was three years senator from this county, and county commi:i-
sioner for six years. He had attained nearlj* 90 years of age.— April
26, Hon. John G. Palfrey died in Cam])ridg(\ aged 86.— Nov. 4, Capt.
Prince S. Crowell of East Dennis died. He was an enterprising and
successful ship-owuer and general business manager, and a friend of
liberal and pro«rre?sive movements of tlie day.

1882. March 31, Capt. Samuel Matthews, Yarmouth, died, aged 80. —
Nov. 18, Obcd Brooks, Esq., died in nui-wioh.- Nov. 21, Nathan Crosby^

CHRONOLOGY OP EVENTS. 807

Eiq., died in Brew:(ter.->Nov., the largest ftiugle fare of codfish ever
brought into the conuty was that of schooner Willie MoKay, Capt.
An^ni^ McKay, cou«i6tiiig of 4(M$2 quiutaii«, valued at upwards of $22,000.

18S3. Jan. 21, Capt. Oliver Matthews of Yarmouth died.— Jan. 25,
Saud%rich tack factory destroyed by fire. Loss, $15,000 to $17,000.^
Feb. 5, Isaac Thacher, merchant, a native of Yarmouth, died in
Boston, aged 75.— March 7, Capt. Winthrop Sears of Yarmouth died,—
April 21, Hon. Albert Aldeu, a native of Yarmouth, died in Cambridge.
—Luther Hinckley, Esq., ex-deputy sheriff, died in Mar<«ton*s Mills,
aged 04.— May 10, Capt. Isaac Crosby died In Brewster.— May 28, Hon.
James B. Crocker died iu Yarmouth, aged 79. He was two years
senator and several terms clerk of courts.— May 30, Capt. Obed B
Whcldeu of South DeunU died iu Peusaeola, Fla.— Aug. 11, Rev.
Nathau Chapman died in East Dennis, aged 85 years.- Sept. 25, Mr.
Timothy Phiuney died in Newbury port, aged 99 years. He was a
native of Barnstable.— Oct. 29, Hon. Henry Crocker, a native of
Bai*nsta1)le, died, aged 79, Mr. Crocker was several years sheriff of
Suffolk county.- Nov. 29, Josiah Hinckley, Esq., Barnstable, died,
aged oO. Mr. Hiuoklt* y had filled the offices of representative, county
treasurer and collector of customs. — Deo. 5, a special term' of the
supreme court tried Charles F. Freeman for the murder of his young
daughter, and the verdict was, "Not guilty, by reason of insanity.**
He was committed to Danvers asylum.

18SL Jan. U, Mr.<i. Paul Sherman and Henry Holmes drowned while
crossing in a boat from Sandy Neck to Barnstable.- Feb. 7, ex-Sheriff
David Bursley died In Barnstable.— March 8, Capt. Joshua Baker died
in Hyannis.— April 4, Col. George W. Hallet, of Providence, died in
Yarmouth.— Nov. 18, great blackfish chase; from 1200 to 1500 driven
ashore from Provincetown to Dennis, valued at from $12,009 to $15,000.
— Deo. 27-28, another successful blackfish chase, 500 to 600 captured
back of Sandy Neck, Barnstable.

1885. May 10, Capt. Nathaniel Matthews, Yarmouth, died, aged 79.
He was a former commander of the missionary brig Morning Star, in
the Pacific waters. — April 4, opening of new Exchange building in
Harwich.— April 8, Hon. E. C. Howard of Bourne died iu Watertown,
aged 54. He was representative from Sandwich, and senator from the
Island district, two years each.

1886. Jan. 29, Capt. Moses Howes of Dennis died.— May 10, Capt.
Zenas K Crowell, of Hyannis, died.— May 28, Col. Henry C. Brooks, a
native of Harwich, died in Boston.- June 25, Capt. Isaiah Chase,
Harwich, died.— Nov. 29, Capt. R. R. Freeman, Wellfleet, died.— Deo.
18, Asa E. Lovell, register of deeds, died in Ost^rville.

1887. March 6, Loring Crocker, Esq., of Barnstable, died.— May 11,
great fire in the woods of Bourne, which burned nearly a week ; 88,000
acres burned over.— June 18, Nathaniel S. Simpkins died in Yarmouth*
port, aged 89. He was the founder of the Barnstable Journal and

806 CAPE COD.

Tarmouth RegUter, newspapers.— Aujj. 21, Rev. E. E. Cba«e, WestYar-
mouth, died, aji^ed a3.— Aug. 'i^, David K. Akin died in South Yarmouth,
aged 88. He was several years county commissioner, and president of
First National Bank of Yarmouth.— Sept. 24, Capt. Owen BearM,
Hyannis, died.

1888. March 7, Rev. W. H. Ryder of Chicago, a native of Province-
town, died.— Sept. 18, Nathan D. Freeman, county commissioner, died
in Boston.— Sept. 27, Charles Tol)ey of Chicago, a native of Deuuin,
died in New York.— Oct. 13, two persons killed at railroad crossing in
West Barnstable, while attempting to cross the track in a carriage.—
Nov. 14, Capt. Solomon B. Bourne, Falmouth, died, aged 91.— Dec. 8, 1.
H. Loveland of Chatham, president of Cape Cod National Bank, died.

1880. Jan. 20, Ginn*s block, in Dennisport, was destroyed by fire;
loss, 620,000.— Feb. 24, Charles C. Bearse, ex-Sheriff of Barnstable
oounty, died at Cotuit. — March 27, ex-^heriff Thomas Harris died in
Barnstable, aged 86 years.— May 20, schooner Nelson Harvey, New
Bedford, was run down and sunk off Whale Rock, near Provincetown,
and crew of six men lost.— June 1, Obed Baker, 2d, Esq., of Dennis,
ex-county treasurer, died.

1890. May 14, James S. Howes of East Dennis died. He was for
24 years a county commissioner, and for a large portion of that time
chairman of the l>oard, a longer term of service than that of any other
incumbent. His brother, Freeman Howes, of Yarmouth, who deceased
Oct. 8, 1895, held the position of special commissioner for nine years,
also longer than any other incumlient, and had been nominated for
re-election.— Sept. 15, Cai)t. Rodolphus H. At wood and Samuel Stan-
ley were instantly killed by a stroke of lightning, while in a store in
Provincetown.— Sept. 30, Paul Wing of Spring Hill, teacher of a
private school of wide reputation, and an ex-represeiitative, died at
the age of 79 years. — Nov. 11, collision of trains on Hyannis branch
railroad, by which Henry H. Howes was fatally injured, and others
were hurt.— Dec. 12, Joseph Hoxie of East Sandwich died, aged 92
years.

1891. Feb. 28, great electrical disturbances throughout the county.
The Methodist church in Welltleet was ])urnc*d, and niuMj- buildings in
different towns were more orlessiii.inreil. — March 2, KlijahE. Knowles,
for several years representative and ttft4?rwards county commissioner,
died in Orleans, a^reJ 80. — Heman Doaue, 3<1, of Ea>tliam, a local poet,
died. He was the subject of a rcniarkal)le cure of a physical disability,
which is recorded in niedieal books. — April 25^, Hon. Jure])h P. .Tohnsou
of Provincetown died, ased 77 year?.— Col. Auirustus T. Perkin", of
Cotuit, died in Boston. — May 18, Mr. James L. Sparrow died in East
Orleans, aged 90 years. — July 15, Jonathan Younp:, the fir.>t treasurer
of Cape C«)d (\Mitral railroad, died in Orleans, a.m'd j^^.— Oct. 8, Charles
Thacher, 2d, for several years register of i)robate for this county, died
in Yarmouthport.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS. 800

1S92. Jan. 2, Mr. George T. Thacher of Yarmouth died at Wellesley
Hilljt, Mass.— 14, Hon. David Fisk, ex-senator, representative and
selectman, died in We^t Dennis.— Feb. a*, Eben 8. Whittemore,
ex-eounty commiM^ioner, special justice Fir^t district court, died in
Sandwich.— March 4, ** Boston Store," in Hyauuis, destroyed by fire;
loss, craj.OOO to e>40,0U0.— March 8, Capt. Barnabas C. Howes, of South
Yarmouth, died in San Francisco, from the eiTect^ of a street railway
accident.— March 22, Frank J. C. Swift, selectman, etc., died in Fal-
mouth.— April 24, Capt. Lemuel B. Simmons of Hyanuis, ex-
representative, etc., died in Portland, Me., aged 90.— June 28, Capt.
Bailey Foster died in Brewster, aged 82.— June 24, Thomas Xickerson,
a native of Brewster, prominent as a railroad constructor, died in
Kewtou.

1893. March 25, six men of sch. Ada K. Daman, of Provincetown,
were lost in a ^leon Grand Banks.— April 1, "Crows' Nest," residence
of Joseph Jefferson, actor, destroyed by fli-e, together with valuable
works of art, relics and library; lo*s, about «'250,01K).— Sept. 17, half-
centennial obecrvaiice of foundation of the Xew Jerusalem church,
Yarmouth.— Dec, Capt. Richard Matthews died in Medford. He was
a native of Yarmouth, and for several years was the efficient com-
mander of the Mu^sachu^etts School Ship.

1894. April 11, Nathaniel Hinckley died at Marston's Mills, aged 88.
Mr. Hinckley represented Barnstable In the legi!>latiire at different
periods, was sheriif of the county, and a writer on political topics. —
Sept. 14, art gallery and contents, btable and outhouses of C. B. Cory
on Point Gammon, Yarmouth, destroyed by fire; loss, $18,000 to

r»,ooo.

1805. Feb. 10, Nathan Edson, ex-representative and ex-selectman,
died in Barnstable, aged 79.— John L. Swift, a native of Falmouth, died
in Boston.— April 10, Charles B. H. Fessendcn, a native of Sandwich,
died in Brooklyn, N. Y. He had been collector of customs for New
Bedford, sheriif of Bristol county, aud was the senior member of the
Barnstable bar.— Aug. 2, Obed Baker, 3d, a prominent captain of
Philadelphia steamship line, died in West Dennis.— Oct. 13, Capt.
Coleman Nickerson died in West Dennis, aged 03.

1800. Jan. 5, Capt. Silas Jones died in Falmouth. He had been a
celebrated whaling captain, aud had once been the central figure in
an attempted mat^sacre by the natives of the Marshall Islands, which
was averted 1)y his skill and coolnciis. At time of his death he was
president of the First National Bank of Falmouth. — Jan. 13, fishing
sch. Fort'Una collided with str. Barnstable and sunk off Highland
light, and nine of the crew drowned.— Jan. 17, Hon. Alfred Kenrick
died in Orleans, aged 95. A long time shiimiaster, and state senator in
1856.— March 4, sch. Jonathan Bourne, with a crew of 10 men, lost near
Pollock Rip.— March 12, death of Hon. Chester Snow, ex-senator,
Harwich.— April 15, fire in the woods of Sandwich and Bourne, covered

aU CAPS COD.

lO/NW «cr«a.— April U, Opt. Lot Hlggtoa of Boat Orl««uB died, >e»d M.
—April ao, ocourred the bell celeliratiou In Falinoutb, It being tbe lOOtli
umlTarsarjr or the pur<ihEU« of the bell of the Conftregntlonal toelety^
trom Paul Revere.— May 2, six (»>ttiiK«s «t Tnnnouth cnmp grow
d«atroredb7 Are.— May 10, Capt Albert Chase, nyannln, died, aged 80.
—August 8, Volentlue Doone, Esq., long conuected with shlpplug kud
flsbing, lUed Id Uarwichport, nged Vi years. — August U, Acoklentnl
d«ath by barnlug of Mn. Charicn Colbuni and daughter In Ba»t
Brewater.— August IT, Capt. Luther Croirell, » prominent ateunboRt
oapt^n of Boston and Philadelpbla Hue, died in West Deuul*. — Sept.
B, death of Judge James Hughes Hopkins of Second district oourt, at
PtOTlncetowu.— Dec. 18, Eev. Heury P. Cutting, pustor of I*llgriin
ahurcb, Harwluhport, died, aged T5 yean. — During 1600, 1-t miles of
mooadumized road had been constructed In the couuty of Bametable,
a portion of the system of state highways Inaugurated by the state of
Kassootausetts, tbe followiug tieing the sections completed in tbe
•ereral towns; Brewster, 1 1-3 miles; Dennis, 2 miles; Yarmouth, S t-4
mile* north side; 2 milea lontb side.

^S:- .--^f^ '"■»^-"

"^^4?fte,..jS;i'

•^wt?rr

ijSP

CHAPTER XVm.

THE FISHERIES AND WHALING.

Testimoiir to their value by Brereton and Archer, Capt. John Smith,
Edward Wiu^low— Cape Fisheries and the Common Sohoolf —
Firht*rie» and the Wars— 8tati«tiofi of the Cod and Mackerel
products — Other Fisheries on our coast— Devices for catching Fish
—United States Fie^herj Commission and Marine Biolojdcal Labo-
ratory in Wood's Hole— Early Shore Whaling— Cape ^Vhalemen in
Foreign Waters— The business in Truro, Wellfleet, Falmouth and
Proviucetown.

HERE is abundant evidence that one of
the inducements for the settlement of
Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies was
the prosecution of the fisheries on the
coasts, with which the English people had
become familiar through the writings of
the first navigators to these shores. The
chronicles of Cabot's voyage, in 1497,
made known that here were ^ great seals,
and those which we commonly call salmons ; and also soles
above a yard in length; but especially there is a great
abundance of that kind which the savages call baccalos or
codfish. *• Brereton and Archer, who T\Tote narratives of
Gosnold's voyage in 1602, and speak of catching "a great
store of codfish" on the coast, called the peninsula since
known by that name, Cape Cod, ** where," tays Brereton,
'^I am persuaded that in the months of March, April and
May there is better fishing and in as great plenty as in
Newfoundland." Capt. John Smith and other T\Titers also

812 CAPE COD.

enlarge upon the value and abundance of these, fisheries,
which must have been familiar to those seeking knowledge
of the country. Edward Winslow, in a narrative of hda
experience as one of the agents of the Pilgrims who went
over to England from Leyden in 1618, to solicit of King
James consent to their going to America, recoixls that when
the monarch asked them, "What profit might arise ?** he
was answered in a single word, "Fishing.'* Whereupon
James replied: "So God have my soul, 'tis an honest
trade, 'twas the Apostle's own calling^"

Arrived on this coast, their search was to find a spot fit
for planting, and which would also afford them the surest
rewards for searching the seas. They discu:ssed a place
which they called "Cold Harbor," in Truro, some of the
company urging that it "seemed to offer advantages both
for whale and cod fishery." But the place did not impress
all the company favorably. Established at Plymouth, but
for the fisheries, the Pilgrims must have starved in the
perilous seasons of 1621-22. Continual references to the
Cape fisheries in the colonial records show their value and
importance. Previous to 1650, the people of Hull were
allowed to seine fish at Cape Cod, but, in consequence of
some irregularities, the Plymouth touit pa.ssed another order
and limited the fisheries there to " residents of the towns of
Plymouth, Duxbury and !Nauset, under regulations intended
to insure an orderly course, in the numagenient of it."
The citizens of Hull again attempted, in 1671, to obtain
a participation in the mackerel fishery at Cai)c Cod, stating
that "by beating about by evening and b}' travelling on the
shores at all times and seasons, they had discovered a way of
taking them in light as well as in dark nights." The couil,
however, in 1684, prohibited "the taking of mackerel
ashore with seines or nets," and decreed the forfeiture of

THE FISHERIES AND WHALING. 813

these implements and the vessels and boats of the persons
who violated the decree. The fisheiy at the Cape was held
by ,the government of Plymouth colony as public property,
and its profits were appropiiated to the public uses. It was
devoted to a purpoi?e which showed the far-sighted intelli-
gence of the law-givers of the colony — the establishment
and maintenance of fi-ee public schools in the jurisdiction. .
In 1G70, the court, as heretofore stated, made a grant ^'of
all such profits as might, or should, actually acciiie to the
colony, from time to time, for fishing with seines at Cape
Cod, for mackerel, bass or heiTings, to be improved for,
and toAvards, a free school in some town in this jurisdiction,
provided a beginning were made within one year of the
gmnt/' The beginning was made at Plymouth, which
town, also, as well as some of its inhabitants, contributed
to its maintenance; and, in 1673, the coui*t renewed its
grant, and ap))ointed Mr. Thomas Hinckley as steward of
the fund raised, or to be raised, for this puii>ose. This
grant was not permanent, as apixsars from the fact that, in
1678, a part of the fund was granted to another party, and
£5 for the schoolmaster at Rehoboth. From this time to
1683, portions of this fishery fund were assigned to various
towns, to aid in the support of schools, Barnstable being
one of the beneficiaries in the latter-named year. None of
the eml>ellishmeijts of rhetoric are necessary to give force
to the statement that Cape Cod, which first sheltered the
fugitive exiles from Ley den ; A\ithin whose harbor, in the
^Mayflower's cabin, was formed the fii-st constitution of free
goveiTiment recognizing the rule of the majority of its
members, supported and sustained the first free public
school for the education of the children of the j^ople I

The important part played b}' the fishery question in the
<;ont rovers}' between the colonists and the mother country is

m CAPS COD.

a portion of the general history of the nation ; the relation
of Cape Cod to this industry was from the first to the last
intimate and impoitant. Her fishermen and sailors were an
indispensable factor in the wars with the French in Canada ;
they were in full force at Louisburg and the other
expeditions against the enemy. The business was attended
by great fluctuations, because of the enlistment of large
numbers of men in the naval service of Great Britain , and
by the removal of many others to Nova Scotia and Maine,
Provincetowu, just prior to the Revolution, being almost
depopulated in consequence. From statistics furnished,
extending from the years 1765 to 1775, we gain the follow-
ing information :*

Vessels

Yaimouth,

annually
employed.

30

Tonnage
employed.

900

Xo. of
men.

180

Wellfleet,

3

90

21

Traro,

10

400

80

Provincetown,

4

160

32

Giatham,

30

900

240

All Massachusetts,

665

25,630

4,405

From 1786 to 1790.

Yannouth,

30

900

180

Provincetown,

11

550

88

Giatham,

30

300

120

All Massachusetts,

539

19,185

3,292

Prolwibly about the year 1850, the cod fisheries were in
their most prosperous condition, more than half the capital
and nearly half the product of the business employed in
the state belonging to the towns in this county :

•Sabine's Report.

THE FISHERIES AND WHALING. 315

Value of
Capital. Men employed, product.

Barnstable county, $1,230,185 4,719 $1,031,027

All Massachusetts, 2,127,885 7,917 2,188,441

Since that time, owing to the larger size of the vessels
employed and the concentration of the business in the
centres of commerce, the Cape fisheries have notably
declined, and are still declining. The .total product of this-
business in 1896, makes the following lamentable exhibit:

Vewelfl.

Men.

QuiutaU cured.

Chatham,

boats.

64

250

Dennisport,

boatB,

30

600

Provincetown,

27*

506

10,600

600 11,450 .

From the settlement of the country to the present time,,
the mackerel fishery has been extensively pursued, but has
been attended with great fluctuations and uncertainties.
The mackerel is a sportive and capricious fish, liable to
change its haunts and its habits. Exact statements and
reliable statistics of the business are not to be obtained
previous to 1804. Commencing that year with a catch of
8000 bbls., the product gradually mounted upward ta
236,243 bbls. in 1820, and for the next fifteen years hardly
ever went below 200,000 bbls., averaging more than that
amount. From 1835 to 1845, there was a considerable
reduction of product, hut in the latter year it amounted to
202,302 bbls. In 1851, the catch went up to 329,242 bbls.
The total catch of the ^''ear 1896, as reported by the
inspector general, was only 70,717 bbls., in the entire state.

This decline is by some attributed to the use of the purse
seine, by which whole "schools" may be surrounded off-

^lucludiiig fresh fluh fleet.

816 CAPS COD.

shore, in any depth of water. Other causes, however, may
have and probably did contribute to this result.

From the statistics available, the relation of the Cape
towns to this enterprise may l^e gathered. In 1851, when
the largest catch of the state is reported, the number of
vessels, tonnage and number of men and boys employed in
this county are given below :

Ko.

Tonnage.

Men and boys.

Barnstable,

28

1,918

339

Brewster,

4

259

47

Chatham,

19

1,346

230

Dennis,

47

8,096

585

Eastham,

3

170

23

Harwich,

48

3,231

577

Orleans,

5

336

54

Provincetown,

60

4,332

688

Truro,

52

3,626

581

Wellflect,

79

5,411

852

Yarmouth,

14
359

990

169

24,715

4,145

Whole state.

853

53,705

9,112

In 1896, the total catch inspected in thi;? county is
comprised in 2,397 bbls., reported in Provincetown, taken
by eight vessels and 169 men. The business of catching
mackerel has not, however, declined to sucli a degree as
these figures would seem to indicate, but the business has
chansred its character, a considerable number of Provincetown
men being engaged in the market fresh fishery, though the
fleet does not make a ver}' great showing compared with that
of former years, being composed of about 20 vessels during
the year, only some 15 of them continuing in the busmess

THE FISHERIES AND WHALING. 817

for the entire season. These vessels employed not much
exceeding 400 men.

Although cod and mackerel have, from the beginning of
our histor}-, been the chief objects of pursuit by our
fishermen, and have engaged, more than all othera, the
attention of business and scientific men and legislators,
there are many other and very valuable fisheries near at
hand.* As population has increased and the markets for
food fishes have multi))lied, tlie resources of our waters and
coast have been enhanced in value and impoi-tance, and
contrivances for cjitching fish have taxed the inventive
faculties of the enterprising and ingenious. Such devices
as weirs, pounds, and fykes, for entrapping the inhabitants
of the sea, though not in all respects unknown in former
times, have in late yeare been employed to such an* extent
as to revolutionize the business. The expediency of
employing these devices is a matter of earnest controversy,
and much attention is devoted by the legislature and
scientific boards in the discussion of measures for regulating
or restraining these instrumentalities, in the same line of the
controversy respecting sweep nets in the deep water fisheries.
That our waters abound in more than usually important
and interesting piscatorial specimens, is evident from the
establishment of a branch of the United Sates Fishery
Commission in Wood's Hole in this county, whence
specimens are collected, observations of fish life and
development are made, and adjacent waters, which have been
denuded, are restocked with eggs and frj' of different
varieties of fish in great quantities and illimitable numbers.

The connection of the Cape fisheries with the cause of
popular education did not terminate with the appropriation
of their proceeds by the colony court to the establishment of

•See page 6.

-818 CAPE COD.

41 Grammar school in Plymouth. The importance of this
section for scientific investigation and research was
recognized by the establishment, in connection with the
Wood's Hole U. S. Fishery station, about the year 1887, of
the Marine Biological Laboratory, one of the most widely
known and firmly established summer schools in existence^
devoted to natural science. This is said to be the largest
summer school of biology in the world, some two hundred
persons being in attendance in 1896, and next to the Naples
•Station, it takes first rank in the num1)er and importance of
the contributions to knowledge which have gone out from it.
It is also an excellent example of successful inter-collegiate
co-operation.

The whaling business is another once important, now
.greatly depressed, industry. When the English first visited
these shores Cape Cod bay was a favorite resort for whales,
which abounded here and found the food they desired, and
in the pursuit of which they were often drawn into shoal
water and not infrequently left by the ebbing tide. The
controvei-sics about drift whales and the amount of legislation
incident to this subject by the colony court, evince its
importance to the colonists. They did not wait long,
•however, for stranded whales, but put forth in their frail
boats and boldly attacked the leviathan '*in its native
-element." Stations were erected on the seaside, where
watch was kept for the appearance of the huge game. In
Yarmouth a section was set apait (in the present town of
Dennis) vfor the houses of the whalemen, and a spring of
unfailing water was reserved for their use, and the "Whaling
Grounds" have never been entirely alienated by the two
towns. That the whalemen of this region early possessed
unusual skill in this pursuit is evinced by the announcement
that in 1690, "Ichabod Paddock of Yannouth went to

THE FISHERIES AND WHALIXQ. 919

Nantucket to instruct the people in the art of killing whales
in boats from the shore. **

Whales becoming scarce after a while, vessels were fitted
out to search for and pursue them. From Truro, Wellfleet,
Falmouth, a lucrative business was pursued. In 1771,
Barnstable county had 36 vessels engaged in this business,
2 from Truro, 2 from Barnstable, 4 from Falmouth, 30
from Wellfleet, with an average tonnage of about 75, and
manned with an average of 15 men. Two citizens of Truro,
Captains David Smith and Gamaliel Collins, in 1774,
adventured to the Falkland Islands in pursuit of whales,
acting b}' the advice of Admiral Montague of the British
navy. They were successful, and after that visited the
coast of Guinea and Biiizil. The oft-quoted description of
the New England whaleman, by England's great orator,
Edmund Burke, loses nothing by age and use : "" AMiile we
follow them among the tumbling mountains of ice, pene-
trating into the deepest recesses of Hudson Bay ; while we
are looking for them beneath the Arctic circle, we hear
that they have pierced into the opposite region of Polar
cold, that the}' are at the Antipodes, and engaged under the
frozen Serpent of the South. Falkland Island, which
seemed too remote and romantic an object for the grasp of
natural ambition, is but a stage and resting place in the
progress of their victorious industry. While some of them
draw the line and strike the harpoon on the coast of Africa,
others run the longitude and pursue the gigantic game along
the shores of Brazil."

Capt. Jesse Holbrook of Wellfleet, who flourished in the
period of the Revolutionary war, on one voyage killed 52
sperm whales. A London company eagerly engaged him
for twelve ^''ears, to teach their employes his art. After a
career of diversified fortune, he returned to Wellfleet,

>20 CAPE COD.

where bis life was closed. In nearly every Capo town half
s century ago, numbers of veteran retired whaling captains
might be found, but few of them now remain on the stage
of action.

At different peiiods sevei-al towns of this county had
considerable fleets engaged in the business. Thus, in 1837,
Falmouth had at sea nine whale ships, with an aggregate of
2,823 tonnage. None now hail from that poit. In 1865,
twenty-eight Pronncetown crafts brought in rising $300,000
worth of oil. In 1896, fourteen vessels, with an aggregate
of 1,278.08 tonnage, sailed from that port. In 183ii, there
were fourteen whaling vessels employing 155 men hailing
from Orleans. They have long since disappeared. The
business as a leading industry of the county bus steadily
declined, along with the cod and mackerel tisheries.

^.r^jj^i^tza^^

^ii^<^^

CHAPTER XIX.

THE NATIVE INDIANS.

FrleDd11iie»it of the Abiir!(itiie«— Decimated by th» Plague— Capt,
Hunt'ii Trfiu-hery — Tht Li>cit1 SacbemiloinH— IikUuii Lrgeudv—
Pim-liiMe of ib« Soil — Early efforts to Cbriittiniiize the uatlv^r—
Kii'linrd Bourue and hi« lalmn— Mr. Bourne's sui^'e^pors— CItII
^o\'enim(;iit for tlip I;idiiiiii' — Sir. Tupper'a work iu Saudwluh —
KiiuiiiemtioH nf "prnvttiir Indians" ou the Cuih- — Mr. Treat's and
Sir. Tliorulnti's lnl«ir;i ar luissionurle*— Caui^^ of the decay of tho
ludliiuo ooDHidered — Ur?auizatlon of DiKtricI ut Masbpe«— Var-
mouth ludiuue aud IK'acou Naubaugbl — Lack of SlemorlaU of
the Aboi-i(;tne«.

tiV K^ HE first advance of the Cajw Indiana to the
^J-ii^^-'i English was in friendship and comity.
iii^vi (' -^ I 'VMien Goenold landed on C ape Cod, in
''.1^yL„,:!i lfi02, " a young Indian with plates of copper
WjPfir^^ hanjring in his ears, and with a bow and
Z^»^!i-^!? arrow iu his hand, came to him in a friendly
manner, and offered his serrices." Capt,
John Smith coasted the Cape and landed there in 1614, and
was kindly received und kindly treated bj' the natives. It
was his Capt. Hunt, however, who kidnapped the seven
Xauset Indians, and sold them into slavery in Malaga — an
act of jwrfidy, which, for many years after, was the source
of trouble and peril to the English.

In the year 1G17, the plague, or some other mortal
disease, liioke out among the Indians Wtwecu the JCarra-
gansett and the Penobscot, and almost wholly depopulated
the region. The Cape Indians were comprised in this

«B CAPE COD.

calamitous aflliction. They had, just before the breaking
out of the disease, captured the crew of a French bark, and,
in retaliation for the kidnapping of their neighbors by Capt.
Hunt, had killed nearly all of them. A captive, whose life
they had spared, told them that God was angiy with them,
and that He would destroy them and give their country to
others. They replied that they were too many for God to
kill. They recalled this prediction when they were smitten
by the plague, and when the pestilence came, began, with
the natural su[)ei*stition of savages, to think one pait of the
prognostication had been fulfilled, and when the Mayflower
and its company arrived on the coast, they felt that the other
part was about to be enacted. The shower of arrows
which was shot after them at Xauset, in v»'hat was styled
^'The First Encounter," was, no doubt, the outcome of the
hostile spirit engendered by this act of treachery and bad
faith on the part of Hunt.

Within the limits of the Old Colony of Plymouth were
three principal sachemdoms of Indians. One comprehended
the territory from Eel River, in Plymouth, to the south
shore of the Cape, and from Wood's Hole on the west, to
the eastern part of Barnstable. Within this were several
petty sachems and divisions, of which Mashpee was the
chief. On the eastern part of the Cape, from Xobscusset,
now Dennis, was another sachemdom. The capital of
this was Xauset, since named Easthani. These were called
the Xauset Indians. All the Cape Indians were supposed
to be tributary, or in some sort of subjection to !Massasoit
of the Wanipauoags or Pokanockets.* But their depend-
ence seemed to have been very slight. The local names,
the places where the Cape tribes dwelt, were ^lassapee or
Mashpee, Scauton, Cummaquid, Mattakeeset, Nobscusset,

♦Trumbun^s Hist. U. S.

"IVViV

THE NATIVE IXDIANa 838

Monomoyick, Sequatucket, Xauset and Paomet. They were
a mild and inoffensive race, and aside from the affair at
Nauset, their intercourse with the English was of a pacific
nature. Their friendly offices while the English were
famine-stricken, and the surplus of their granaries, which
was the object of an advantageous traffic by the Pl^nnouth
colonists, doubtless saved the settlers from annihilation
during; the ten*ible winters which succeeded the settlement.

The residence of the Cape Indians near the sea developed
in them a degree of imagination and a poetic fancj" beyond
the wont of savage and uncivilized people. The natives of
the Cape and Nantucket had their own i>eculiar mythology,
which they related to the early English settlers. In former
times, as the legend goes, a great many moons ago, a bird,
extraordinarv for size, used often to visit the south shore of
Cape Cod, and carry from there in its talons a vast number
of small children. Maushope, who was an Indian giant, as
fame re{>oii;s, resided in these parts. Enraged at the havoc
among the children, he on a certain time waded into the sea
in pursuit of the bird, till he had crossed the sound and
reached Nantucket. Before Maushope forded the sound,
the island was unknown to the red men. Maushope found
the bones of the children in a heap, under a large tree. He
then, wishing to smoke a pipe, ransacked the island for
tobacco, but finding none, he filled his pipe with poke, a
weed which the Indians sometimes used as a substitute.
Ever since the above memorable events, fogs have been
frequent at Nantucket and on the Cape. In allusion to this
tradition, when the aborigines observed a fog rising, they
would say, "There comes old Maushope's smoke.*' This
tradition has been related in another way : That' an eagle
seized and carried off a papoose. The parents followed
It in their canoe until they came to Nantucket, where

824 GAPE COD.

they found the bones of theu' child, dropped by theeagle.
There is another Indian tradition, that Nantucket was formed
by Maushope emptying the ashes from his pipe, after he
had done smoking.

The settlers on the Ca^^ acknowledged the Indians' title
to the soil, by the purchase, for a consideration more or less
valuable, in all cases where they occupied the territor}^
The compensation, it is true, was not such as would at this
day seem adequate, but it must be considered that the
Indian deemed it sufficient, that he still exercised the right
of hunting and roaming over the territory, reserving to
himself his planting grounds and the right to avail himself
of the resources of the territory, so that he in fact made
but slight concession to the purchaser, and his own condition
was rendered actually better by having thrifty and prosperous
neighbors, with whom to trade and procure many articles
which, in his savage state, he could not possess. Gov.
Josiah Winslow stated, in 1676, ''I think I can truly say, that
before these present troubles with the Indians broke out, we
did not possess one foot of land in this colony but what was
fairly obtained by honest purchase of the Indian proprietors.**
So long as an Indian existed he had reserved to him all the
land that he could improve to advantage, and often more
than he made a profitable use of.

Efforts were early made to christianize the Indians.
Eliot, the apostle, called to Yarmouth, to settle a controversy
in the church in 1647 or 1648, turned his attention to the
work to which his life was devoted. He overcame all
difficulties growing out of a difference in dialect from that
of the ilassachusetts Indians, and succeeded in making
himself understood. He was batlled somewhat by the
ill-nature or quizzical propensities of a sachem called Jehu,
and encouraged by a pliable one, who lent a more willing

THE XAXrV'E INDIANS. 825

ear; but no such results grow out of his labors as in Natick,
where Kliot sjieut so large a portion of his useful and
devoted life.

At an early period, ^Ir. Richard Bounie, one of the
emigi'aut settlers of Sandwich, turned his attention with
untiring devotion, to the work of evangelizing the Indians
in that vicinitv. The earliest account which we have of his
laboi*8 in Mashpee was in 1658, when he was present,
assisting in establishing a }>oundary line between the Indians
and the proprietors of Barnstable. In 16G0, through his
effoi-ts, the gi*ant of a tract of 10,500 acres of land was set
apart for the exclusive use of the Indians of Mashpee.
Rev. !Mr. Hawley said of him : ''Mr. Bourne was a man of
that discernment that he conceived it was in vain to
propagate Christian knowledge among any people without a
territory where they might remain in peace from generation
to genemtion, and not be molested." His efforts were then
engaged in providing them with some settled and orderly
plan of government. In Feb., 1665, on the application of
Mr. Bourne, '' in behalf of the Indians under his instruction,
as to their desii*e of living in some orderly way of
government, for the better preventing and redressing of
things amiss amongst them by just means," the court
approved of six Indians '' to have the chief inspection and
management thereof, with the help and advice of said Rd.
Bourne, as the matter may require ; and that one of the
aforesaid Indians be installed to act as constable," the
rights and authority due to any sachem not to be infringed.
These Indian courts were eminently successful, and an
orderly form of government was early established and long
maintiiined. The Indians held these couii;s, tried criminals,
passed judgments and executed the sentences. Mr. Bourne
and Gov. Hinckley often attended these tribunals, and aided
the Indians as magistrates in difficult cases.

8» CAPE COD.

•

Mr. Bourne, having obtained the deeds of the Indian
reservation, as before stated, Aug. 17, 1670, was installed
as pastor of an Indian church gathered from among his own
disciples and converts. The ordination services were
performed by the Apostle Eliot, other ministers of the
vicinity officiating. The organization of a church waa
confirmed at the same time. Mr. Shearjashub Bourne, son
of Richard, procured, after his father's decease, a ratification
by the court of Plymouth, of the deeds obtained by this
noble and devoted missionary from the Indians, and an

entailment of lands to the South Sea Indians, **80 that no*
part or parcel of those lands might l>e bought by, or sold to,
any white person or persons, without the consent of all the
Indians, not even with the consent of the general court.'*

The successor of Mr. Richard Bourne was an Indian —
Simon Popmonet — who, after a career of usefulness of
forty years, died about the time his successor was ordained.
This successor was Joseph Bourne, a descendant of Richard,
who sustained that relation from 1729 to 1742, when he
resigned, ''complaininjx much of the ill-treatment which the
Indians received, and of the neglect of the commissioners
of his support." He still, however, continued to show his
interest in the cause of the Indians, and encouraged and
assisted the next white missionar}', Rev. Gideon Hawley.
Mr. Bourne was succeeded by Solomon Briant, an Indian,
as pastor of the Mashpee church ; and, though he encountered
considerable opposition in the count}', he continued his
ministry Jimong his red brethren until 1758. He preached
in the Indian dialect, was a good and devoted man, but
apparently deficient in prudence and executive ability. Hi*
dismission was occasioned by dissutisfiution on the part of
the Indians.

THE NATIVE INDIANS. 827

The successor of Mr. Briant was Rev. Gideon Hawlej, a
gentleman of high literary qualifications and devotion to
duty, who labored here for nearly a half-century. Mr.
Hawley had previously done missionary work among the
Indians in Stockbridge, under the patronage of Rev.
Jonathan Edwards, and afterwards among the Iroquois,
under that of Sir William Johnson, and had been a chaplain
in the French wars. He died in 1807, at his post of duty,
aged 80 years.

Rev. Phineas Fbh succeeded Mr. Hawley in 1812,
encountering much opposition upon theological and
political grounds for a i>ortion of his incumbency.
After a controversy of much acrimony, continued for
several years, the inhabitants of Mashpee, whose
spiritiuil :i£fairs were managed b}"^ the parent Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel, were, in 1834, accorded a
system of pailial self-government, which resulted in the
retirement of Mr. Fish and the incumbency of preachers of
the choice of the people.

Following the withdrawal of Mr. Fish, the pulpit was
occupied for some time by Rev. Wm. Apes, who had been
greatly instrumental in bringing about the new order of
affairs. Mr. Apes was himself an Indian, of the Pequot
tribe, and a man of much vigor and power, 1x»th as a writer
and a speaker. He came to Mashpee at a period when the
rights of the natives were not adequately recognized by the
state government, and became their active champion in the
effort to obtain a redress of grievances. There was a quasi
revolution, and the participants were arrested and some of
them convicted and imprisoned for riotous conduct. The
services of Hon. Bcnj. F. Hallett,* a native of an adjoining

•Mr. H:ilk*tt, who alterwnrdg ftttained eminence tL» a political
eontroTersialitft and a lawyer, died in Boston, Sept. 17, 1802, aged 68
yearii.

328 CAPE COD.

village in Barnstable, were enlisted in their behalf , and by
his sympathetic exertions, the legislature of 1833 was led to
accord to these people the rights which they claimed had
been withheld from them. 'Mv. Apes was regarded as their
deliverer from oppression and injustice. Since his day no
stable and settled pastoral relation has been sustained by
any incumbent.

The form of civil government of this district, which was
adopted after the establishment of the new order of affairs,
accorded to the people a partial, though not a complete,
management of their own interests. They chose their own
town officers, who were assisted and restrained by a
commissioner appointed by the stat«. By an act of 1842,
their lands were apportioned among the proprietors in lots
of 60 acres each, not to be conveyed, however, to persons
not inhabitants. In 1870, ISIashpee was made a town and
endowed, without restriction, with the rights of self-
government, like other towns. The state still evinced its
peculiar interest in this people by continuing its i>eeuniary
aid in the support of the public schools and highways.

Another Sandwich citizen, Thomas Tupper, labored
devotedly for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the
natives of the soil. Ilis field seems to have been along the
head of Buzzard's Bay and the region of Herring Pond.
The first substantial church erected in Sandwich was one
built for the Herring Pond Indians, through ilr. Tupper's
instrumentality, and to the expense of which Judge Samuel
Bewail of Boston contributed liberally.*

There never was an exact and reliable enumeration of the
whole number of the Cape Indians, until near the close of
the eighteenth century. The accounts of the number of

•The foiiiuliitioiiof this stnicture iiutl trace? of Incliau ;rrave.s uearby
are visible on a sponidic hiU, uot fur from the Huuruedule railroad
Atatiou.

THE NATn^E IXDIAXS. 820

''praying Indians" in the count}', reported to the Society
for Propagating the Go-spel, is liable to the suspicion of
being colored by the not unnatural desire to make this part
of the field of labor appear as extensive and important in
the eyes of the parent society, as a favorable view of the
circumstances would admit. This view was fortified by the
willin«mess of manv of the natives to sustain a nominal
connection with the whites in religious and secular matters,
for the resulting advantages, without being very strongly
imprcssGvl bj* the spiritual phase of the matter.

According to an account given by Mr. Kichard Bourne to
Mr. Gookhi, in 1674, there were of praying Indians "at
Meshanny i. e. Provincetown and Truro, and at PujwnaTc^
anitj WcUfleet, 72 ; at Potannmaqnaty Eastham, 44 ; at
3/o7i(()tiOf/icI:, Chatham, 71 ; at SawJt'afucJcelj Brewster,
2fobsquas8etty Dennis, MattakeeSj Yarmouth and East
Banistable, 122 ; at Manhpee and sevei*al places adjoining,
117; at Prt^cojM^^, Sandwich, Waxjcaj/ontat^ Warcham, and
SokaneSy Falmouth, 36.'' To this, Mr. Cotton adds
Kitteaumnty another part of Sandwich, 40. Among the
Indians on Mr. Bourne's plantation at Mashpee were 142
who could read the Indian language, 9 who could read
English, and 72 who were taught to write.

In the year 11)8."), Gov. Thomas Hinckley transmitted to
England an account of these praying Indians in Plymouth
colony, b}' which it is found that there were nearly 1,000 of
them within the limits of the countv of Barnstable,
classified as follows, with their tribe and teachers :
Pamet, Billingsgate, (Xausett), alias Eastham, (Great

Tom, teacher), 264

Manomoyett, (Indian Nicholas), 165

Sacjuetucket and Xobscusset, (Manasseh), 121

Mattakecse, (Jeremy Robin), 70

830 CAPB COD.

Skuuton, (Simon Wickett), 51

Mashi>oy, (Shanks, under Mr. Bourne), 141

Manamet, (Charles, under Mr. Tupper), 110

Succanncssett, (Old John), 72

Other places, (not in the county), 495

•* Besides Iwj's and girls under 12, which are supposed to
be three times as many. Xone were accounted praying
Indians unless they publicly renounced their foimer
heathenish manners, and gave themselves up to be praying
Indians."

Gov. Hinckley says, "They have their court* and judges ;
but a great obstruction to bringing them to more civility
and Christianity, is the great appetite the younger gcnei-ation
have for strong liquors, and the covetous ill-humor of sundry
of our English in furnishing them therewith, notwitlistanding
all the court orders and means used to prohibit the same."
The number of Indians who were not enumerated among
the "praying," or christianized Indians, there is no means
of determining, with anything approaching accumcy. If
half were of this description, and, allowiJig for children
under 12, the entire native population must have been two
or three thousand souls.

Besides Mr. Bourne and ^Ir. Tapper, who were the
leading pioneers in the work of civilizing and evangelizing
the Indians, Rev. Samuel Treat of Eastham and Rev.
Thomas Thornton of Yarmouth, labored with gi-eat zeal,
devotion and considerable results, in the same direction.
Mr. Thornton labored throuirh the native teachers, and his
labors were crowned with a large measure of success. Mr.
Treat engaged with earnestness in the work, and prosecuted
it with zeal during a great number of years. In Gov.
Hinckley's enumeration, already adverted to, five hundred
of the praying Indians were comprised in Mr. Treat's-

THE NATIVE INDIANS. 881

parish, besides boys and girls, who were supposed to be
more than three times that numl>er. He preached to the
Indians in their own language, which he ^^poke with great
facility. The Indian teachers in their several villages read
to their consrreorations sermons which he had written for
them, and he translated the C<mfession of Faith into the
Nausct language, for the edification of his converts. But
all these efforts did not save them from disease and decay,
and year by year their numbers diminished, until the Xauset
tribe disapjieared from the face of the eaith.

It would hardly be fair to assume, as is sometimes done,
that the decay of the Indian race is due to contact with
civilized life, since, before the European nations had found
a lodjjnient here pr the natives had made more than a
nominal acquaintance with the new comers, their decline
had commenced, and through pestilence and privation the
mortality of the race had become rapid and beyond the
power of man to check. Their decadence, after this, was
never so great as before, and^ it seems more probable that
contjict with ci\'ilization, with the comfoits and ameliorationa
of their condition, retarded, rather than helped forward, the
decaj' of the al)onginal races, which, from the first, appears
to have been inevitable. In the order of Providence they
seem to have l>een doomed to extinction, and the precepts
and examples of Christianity were powerless to avert their
impending fate. The love of the Indian for intoxicating
liquors has many times been enlarged upon, but it does not
entirely account for their decay. The English consumed
vastly more alcoholic drinks than the Indians, their means
of procuring it being greater, but they grew and prospered,
in spite of this drawback. The ministers exhorted against
their appetite in this regard, to the great disgust many times
of their auditors. ^Ir. Stone, the Provincetown preacher.

882 CAPE COD.

felt that he had a mission to exhort the Indians on this
subject. One of the Mashpee Indians, to whom ho preached
on exchange, was asked how he liked Mr. Stone? Ho
answered, "ilr. Stone is one very good preacher, but he
preach too much about rum. Indian think nothing ohout it ;
but when he tells how Indian love rum, and how much they
drink, then I think how good it is, and think no more 'bout
the sermon, my mouth waters all the time so much for rum."
The use of spirituous liquors easily overcame them, but
Anglo-Saxons were hard drinkei*s, and survived, and had
sufficient self-control to become in the end comparative
abstainei*s. In effect, it will be found that the vices which
overmastered the natives were resolutelj' overcome by the
English, and that under precisely the same conditions the
natives decayed and the newcomei*s flourished, and became
powerful and prosperous. It was a trial of races and
civilizations, and in the end the fittest sui-vived.

This view of the question need not be regarded as
depreciating the efforts and aims, nor the mission of Richard
Bourne, Thomas Tapper, Rcrv's. Thornton, Treat, and the
other evangelists, who labored for the spiritual interests of
the Indian races. There has seldom been exhibited on this
continent so fine an example of devotion, of sacrifice and of
entire and unselfish consecration to a great and beneficent
end, as the life-work of Richard IJourne. He saw before
him, not a feeble and decaying nice, — he indulged in no
generalizations about the end of Providence in planting the
aborigines on these shores; but recognizing, according to
his creed, the immortal destinies and the spiritual needs of
these men, he at once devoted his life to their service. His
work and character were conspicuous in this field of effort.
The other evangelists, in the same spirit, though in a less
marked degree, continued the work. That thej' did not

THE XAXm: IXDIAXS. 833

avert the imj^ending extinction of the race, is no impeach-
ment of their sagacity nor of their unselfish devotion to the
work. They failed, not I>ecause their efforts lacked
intelligence and self-consecration, but l>ecause destiny and
the laws of the universe, hidden for the time from them,
were working out a different result.

Mr. Bourne's superiority to his contemponiries is evinced
by his administrative abilities displayed in the organization
of the District of ^lashpee. His worldly sagacity was
shown in insisting upon setting apart for the natives a
portion of the soil of their ancestors, which should not be
alienated and which should be sacredlv secured to t&em
and their descendants. This condition was observed long
after the last pure Indian was extinct. No better spot could
be selected than the District of ]Mashpee, a region of
picturesque scenery, diversified by ponds, groves, streams,
woodland, its waters abounding in fish, its woods filled with
wild game, and its facile soil adapted to the groT\i:h of com
and vegetables. To this region, the remnants of the native
Indians from other parts of the county resorted, as to a
sanctuary, when driven by an advancing civilization
from their primitive retreats. And to this community,
founded by the foresight of Richard Boume, the Indian
owes the onlj^ recognition which remains for his race within
the limits of Barnstable county. The works or institutions
of few public men endure longer than their lives or those of
their immediate descendants, but those founded bv Mr.
Bourne have not yet failed to exert their beneficent influence
upon the remnants of the Indian race, nor have they faded
from the grateful recollections of posterity. He could not
avert a doom which was inevitably theirs, but he ameliorated
the condition of thousands of the race and rendered more
tolerable their lot for man^' succeeding generations.

»4 CAPE COD.

The Society for Propagating the Gospel in New England,
about the year 1767, sent a committee to Mashpee to inquire
into the condition of the Indians there, i>articularly, and
incidentally, those in other parts of Barnstable county.
They met at Mashpee, on the communion Sabbath, a house
filled with Indian worshippers, and the service was carried
on in their own language, by Indian ministers, Solomon
Briant, the Mashpee pastor, and Zachary Osooit, the pastor
«t Gay Head. John Ralph was mentioned as minister at
Potenumacut, and Isaac Jephrey at the Ponds in Plymouth.
Mr. Hawlcy, the English pastor at Mashpee, gave the agent
of the society some statistics of the numbers of Indian
worshippers and of other matters relating to the Indians,
which, in comparison with Gov. Hinckley's figures of eighty
years before, show how rapid had been the decline of the
native population, in spite of all the ameliorating influences
of the English missionaries and other friendly aids to
advancement in the arts of civilized life. At that time,
according to this authority, there were in all about 271
inhabitants in Mashi>ee ; in Scauton (East Sandwich) there
were nine wigwams, number of inhabitants not stated ; at
Sacconesset (Falmouth), about 20 who belonged to the
meeting. There were six wigwams in Yarmouth, the
inhabitants of which l>elonged to the church and congrega-
tion at Potenumacut, ^ where arc a larger number of Indians
than at any other place in that neighborhood, besides
Mashpee.'' They also speak of eight Indian families, of
about thirty persons, at Pocasset.

From this time the native Indians began again to decay.
In Yarmouth, large numbers were canied off by the
small pox. Soon after the Revolutionary War their lands
were sold, and, in 1797, there were living on the Indian
reservation, in the southeasterly part of the town, a negro

THE NATIVE IKDIANa 885

and a squaw, occupjnng one wigwam.* Those soon after
(lisappe«ared. In 1802, there were three Indians remaining
in Potcnumacut (Orleans), and one in Eastham. These
were also destined to speedy extinction.

If the accounts of the hitest remnants of the Indian
tribes of Yannouth are not greatly idealized, they were a
most interesting and attractive people in their social and
moral character. One of their annalists* describes them as
living in Arcadian simplicity of life in a little cluster of
wigwams in the southeastern part of the town, near Bass
River. A suspicious deacon, who was in quest of the
despoiler of his poultry yard, in the early morning hours,
found the occupants of three wigwams engaged in their
morning devotions, and felt humiliated that he should have
mistrusted these people. Deacon Xauhaught, their chief
character, once found a pocketbook containing a quantity of
money, but such were his ideas that he would not open it,
nor would he suffer any one else to do so, until he got to a
public house. **If I was to do so,** said he, "all the trees
in the woods would see me and testify against me." The
tale which is related of this striking and unique characteti
when assailed by snakes, though amply re-enforced by the
testimony of several white deacons and other veracious
authorities, is so aoochryphal that the foreign readers may
be pardoned for expressing, as they did, some degree of
suspicion in relation to it. ''This Indian, who was a very
athletic man, was once attacked by a large number of black
snakes. Being at a considerable distance from any {^ople,
and having no weapons about him except what the God of
Nfvture had given him, he knew not what to do. He found
it impossible to escape from them by attempting to run.
He experienced, however, very little from any fearful

•Alden's Mem. of Tarmouth.

836 CAP£ COD.

apprehensions on account of his personal safety. He was
perfectly self-collected, and thought he would stand firm on
his feet and suffer the snakes to take their own course, for
a time, without annoyance. They approached him from
every direction with elevated heads and tremendous hissing.
They soon began to wind themselves about his legs.
Presently one of them got up to his neck and seemed to act
as if he was attempting to get his head mto Xauhaughfa
mouth. Nauhaught opened his jaws, which were furnished
with a noble set of teeth. The snake immediately thi*ust in
its head and the deacon bit it off ! a fortunate circumstance,
as the result proves; for the blood, streaming from the
decapitated leader in the attack, so alarmed the rest of the
invading enemy, that Nauhaught was immediately left
master of the field I"

There must have been some peculiar influences operating
upon the Yannouth natives to produce such exceptional
characters as these. The jSIashpce Indians were not
described by their contemporaries, as of a heroic type. An
account of them, written in 1802, from memoranda com-
municated by Rev. Mr. Hawley, Dr. Thacher and Dr.
Eliot,* places them low in point of morals and character,
and implies that the experiment of ]\lr. Bourne and his
successors was a himentable failure. But the virtues of the
one people no more averted the decay of the race in this
county, than the Ances of the other, contributed to their
annihilation. The last Indian of pure strain in Yarmouth
died before the beginning of the present century ; and the
hist of the Mashpees departed a!)out the year 1^04-5. f The
present inhabitants of Mashpoe have but little of the
al)ori<rinal blood in their veins ; the morals of the inhabitants
are of a high order, and no people in the country attend

•Mfts«s. Hist. Soo. Col., vol. 8, Ist series.
jDr. Alden.

THE NATIVE IKDIANS. 837

-mtii more fiilelity than they to tbe civil duties of the

For a race once so populoas here, it seems strange that
no memorials of them remain upon our soil. A few shell-
heaps, stone utensils and aiTow-heads, scattered over the
fields, are all that are loft to remind us of their former
existence. Even their last resting-places are known in but
few instances. In two or three towns, spots known by
tradition or otlior evidence, to have been used as their places
oi sepulchre, have been enclosed or marked by suitable
inscriptioDs.

CHAPTER XX.

CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS.

Early Writ«r&— EYeeinau'i Hlftorj of CaiwCoa— Otber Local Worlu
—Poetry — Fiction — Occaaloual Wrltert— The NewspaiHsn of Bom-
ttable County.

PEAKDiG of our achieTemeDta in the
%c!<IMj field of letters, it may be said that the
■VrHv intelligence and capacity of the people of
^■''■'i^the Cape have not, heretofore, been evinced
. 30 much in what they have said, as in whut
I tbey have dared and accompli;shed. The
founders of her towns were not usually
men of literary taste or acquirements,
except her clergy, who ranked well with those of their class
in other parts of the colony. It was some time after they
had settled the towns, subdued tbe wild face of nature, and
helped to coiKjuer the savage foe, Ijcfore they turned their
attention to scholarship. Then it was that the tishorios on
their shores hcljjcd to found and maintain the first public
grammar school established liy the colony. It was, indeed,
the chief reliance of that enterprise.

The first of their written compositions which arc extant
are in the form of sermons, and of these it may he said,
that their style was as rugged and forbidding to our present
taste, as were the ideas tliey i^cre intended to convey. In
hours of dcc|> atHlction the fathers sometimes essayed to
woo the muses. The earliest si>ecimen of clegaic verse

CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 839

preserved, is found in the lines composed on the death of
his accomplished wife, b}' Governor Thomas Hinckley, of
which production Mr. Palfrej' says, ''It breathes not, indeed,
the most tuneful spirit of song, but ihe very tenderest soul
of affection/'

The earliest books published in this county seem to have
been those of Edward Perry of Sandwich, a Friend,
between the years 1G76 and 1690, and bear the titles, "A
Warning to New England ;"• ''To the Court of PljTnouth,
this is the Word of the Lord;** "A Testimony Concerning
the Light;** ''Concerning Tine Repentance," etc. Not
more than one copy is known to be in existence.

Dr. John Osboni, bom in Sandwich in 1713, a son of
Rev. Samuel Osboni, minister for some time of the south
precinct of Eastliam, wrote a Whaling Song, which has
obtained celebrity. It is quite an advance, in literary
finish, upon anything preceding it which had been produced
by a Cape Cod writer. The opening lines are :

** When spriog returns with western galea.

And gentle breezes sweep
The ruf&ing seas, we spread our saUs,

To plough the wat*ry deep.

**For killiug northern whales prepared.

Our nimble boats on board.
With craft and rum (our chief regard,)

And good provisions stored.**

Then follow sixteen stanzas, which describe, in spirited
style, the pursuit, killing and capture of the monsters of
the deep.

Rev. Thomas Pi-ince, the distinguished author of New
England's Annals and Chronology, a native of Sandwich
and a grandson of Governor Hinckley, produced a work of
exceeding value. In the opinion of Dr. Chauncy, '*Xo one
in New England had more learning except Cotton Mather."

MO CAPB COD.

He published other works, though the Annals is esteemed
the most important.

James Otis, Jr., called **the patriot," besides being a

peerless orator, was the author of several important political

.treatises, among which may be mentioned his Rights of the

Colonies Vindicated, which was styled "a masterpiece of

good writing and argument.**

Mercy Warren, daughter of Col. James Otis, was bom
in West Barnstable, Sept. 25, 1728, died in Boston, Oct.
19, 1814. She received her education from Rev. Jonathan
Russell, who also fitted her distinguished brother for college.
Her feelings were soon enlisted on the side of her father
and brother, and her lettei-s, pati'iotic verses and political
satires, throw much light upon the history of the period.
She married James Warren of Plymouth, one of the leaders
of the Revolutionar}'' party, and wtis in intimate correspon-
dence with the two Adamses, Thomas Jefferson and other
distinguished patriots. In 1790 she published a volume of
poems, including two tragedies, entitled ''The Sack of
Rome,** and ''The Ladies of Castile." Her most iuiporiant
work, however, was her '^Iliatory of the American
Revolution," (3 volumes, 820, Boston, 180eO,) prepared
from notes taken durinir the war, and which is a standaitl
authority with writers on that subject.

Rev. Dr. Samuel West, a native of Yarmouth, for some
time a school-master in Barnstable and Falmouth, was
renowned for his metaphysical and contro vernal talents, as
well as for his great learning and profound scholarship.
"He was," said Dr. Timothy Alde?i, Jr., "as remarkable for
his mental powers, as Dr. Samuel Johnson, the great
biographer and moralist. He was supposed to have nmch
resembled him in personal appearance, and with the same
literary advantages, would unquestionably have equalled

MERCY WARREN.

CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 841

him for repatation in the learned world.'' He wrote several
important tracts during the revolutionary period.

Rev. Dr. Timothy Alden, Jr., a native of Yarmouth and
president of Alleghany College, Mcadville, Pa., about the
middle of the century published the Collection of American
Epitaphs, in four volumes, a book which contained a fund
of interesting and valuable information.

Rev. James Freeman, D. D., minister of the Stone
Cha()el, Boston, a native of Truro, contributed, soon after
this time, a series of most important papers relating to the
history of the towns of the county and published in the
collections of the Massachusetts Historical Societv. These
papers are still quoted and relied upon as authorit}* on the
subjects to which they are devoted.

With such a record for enterprise, adventure, patriotism
and identification with the great movements of the age as
the Cape presents, it would be strange if there were not
others of her sons who should attempt to do her honor, or
at least justice. In 1858, Rev. Frederick Freeman, of
Sandwich, commenced the publication of a History of Cape
Cod. The book was finallj' completed, in two large volumes,
and to all time must be the foundation upon which other
works of the kind will be based. The difficulties in Mr.
Freeman's wa}^ were numerous; he had to begin without
any considerable previous aid; he was justly emulous of
the fame of bis illustrious ancestors; and being himself a
minister of the church of England, it seemed to some that
he did tardy and stinted justice to the Pilgrim and Puritan
elements. Some of the impoilant epochs were not written
up with the fullness and elalK)ration of the others. But
despite these drawbacks, Mr. Freeman's book will alwaj's be
quoted, as the first filial attempt of any Cape Cod man to do
appropriate honor to the memory of the pioneers and their

842 CAPS COD.

siiccessors, and as sach should be held in high estimation.
Rev. Enoch Pratt, in 1842, published his history of
Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans. There is much in it which
is interesting, unique and worthy of preservation. Mr.
Shebnah Bich, in his Tmro, Cape Cod, has embodied in an
original form, and attractive rhetoric, a mass of important
information respecting one of the most interesting towns of
the Old Colonv. In 1861, Mr. Amos Otis commenced a
series of articles in the Barnstable Patriot, respecting the
history of the Barnstable Families. Nothing has yet been
published which evinces so familiar an acquaintance with the
habits, manners, motives and impelling principles of the
pioneers of the town as these sketches, by one of their
descendants. They will always be referred to as authority
on the points which they discuss, and be regarded as a
monument to the intelligence, zeal and industry of their
author. In 1884, Charles F. Swift published a history of
Old Yarmouth, including the towns of Yannouth and
Dennis, in one volume, 283 pages. Mr. Swift has also
published a Fourth of July oration, 1858, a continuation of
Barnstable Families, several occasional addresses, and
contributions to magazines iind newspapers, principally on
biographical and historical subjects. The sketches of the
History of Falmouth up to 1812, by the late Charles W.
Jenkins, were issued in a collected form by the Falmouth
Local press, in 1889. They were written before so much
was known as has since transpired about the early history of
the town, and the book is a filial and creditable work. Mr.
Josiah Paine of Hanvich, who contri))uted to Blake's Cape
Cod the chapters on the history of Harwich and Brewster,
has written, with intelligence and discrimination, other
important his?torical papers, for the newspapers and maga-
zines, and has a manuscript collection of great value

CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 848

regarding old Harwich and its people. Mr. Joshua H.
Paine, his brother, has also written an exhaustive unpub-
lished account of the "War of 1812 in its relation to Harwich.
In 1890, Messrs. H. ^V. Blake & Co. published a History
of Barnstable C!ounty, a book of over 1000 pages, copiously
illustrated, and handsomely bound and printed. Without
being a complete and continuous history, it contains a vast
amount of vailuable infoimation, and much biographical
matter, particularly of contemix)rary individuals, who
contributed the data and were responsible for its dissemi-
nation.

In other departments of literary effort the natives of the
Cape have somewhat distinguished themselves. The early
bards of the countj' have already been alluded to. Several
others remain to be noticed. Daniel Barker Ford, son of
Dr. Oliver Ford of Hyannis, who was an apprentice in the
Yarmouth Register ofBce about 1842-4, evinced much poetic
and rhetorical talent. His best known piece, ^A Lay of
Cape Cod," was modeled in style and treatment from
Whittier's Lays of Labor, and was a most spirited and
stirring production. A few' of its inspiring lines are
quoted :

'* Hurrah ! for old Cai>e Cod,

AVith itfl sandy hiUs and low.
Where the waves of ocean thunder,

Aud the wiuds of heaven blow;
Where through t^ummer and through winter,

Throuizh 8uu:»hine and thro' rain.
The hardy Cape man plies hU task

Upon the heaving main.
• • • • •

** Hurrah ! for the maids and matrons

That grace our sandy home,
A» gentle as the summer breeze.

As fair as ocean's foam;
Whose glances fall upon the heart.

Like suulight on the waters;

844 CAPE COD.

Who're brighter in the f e*tal hall
Than France's brightest daught«r8."

Dr. Thomas X. Stone of Wellfleet published, in 1869, a
Tolame, entitled Cape Cod Ehj-mes. He possessed the trae
poetic tempemment, was witty, pathetic, and alive to the
sights and scenes of nature around him. He also wrote and
delivered felicitous occasional orations and addresses. Asa
S. Phinney, also a printer in the office of the Yarmouth
Register, in 1843 collected and issued a little pamphlet^
Accepted Addresses, etc. There were twenty-four pieces
in all, some of which evinced considerable poetic ability.
Mr. Phinney was also a frequent and welcome contributor
to the Cape newspapers.

Mrs. Frances E. Swift of Falmouth has written for several
years for the current magazines and newspapers, under the
nam de plume, "Fanny Fales.** She published, in 1853,
Voices of the Heart, and has a large number of superior
compositions not yet in collected form. Mrs. Swift is not
only an easy and graceful versifier, but has shown a high
poetic fancy and a deeper insight into the emotions and
feelings of the human heart. AVe present a single specimen
in her reflections upon Longfellow's line, ''Into each life
some rain must fall" :

"If this were all, O If this were all,
That * Into each life some raiu must fall '—
There were faluter sobs in the Poefs rhyme.
There were fewer wrecks on the shores of time.

"But tempests of woe pass over the soul.
Fierce wiuds of anguish we cannot control;
And shock after shock we are called to bear.
Till the lips are white with the heart's despair.

**0, the shores of time with wrecks are strown,
Unto the ear comes ever a moan.
Wrecks of hopes that sail with glee.
Wrecks of loves sinking silently !

CAPE AUTHORS AND XEWSPAPERS. 345

** Many lire hidden from mortal eye.
Only God knoweth how deep they lie;
Only God heard when the ory went up;
*Help me! take from me this bitter cup I*

** * Into each life florae rain muet fall*—
If thi^ were all, O, if this were all!
Yet there ii» a Refuge from storm and blast.
We may hide in the Rock till the woe is past^

"Be stron;;! be strong! to my heart I cry,
A pearl in tlie wounded shell doth lie;
Days of sunshine are given to all.
Though * Into each life some rain must fall.***

Prof. Alonzo Tripp, a native of Harmcli, wrote in 1853^
a book of European travels, entitled, Crests from the Ocean
World, which had a sale of 60,000 copies. Afterward he
wrote a local novel, entitled The Fisher Boy, which had a
large sale, and nianj' appreciative readers. lie has since
delivered lectures on European events, in almost every
considerable place in the country^ which have attracted
audiences of culture and disciimination.

In fictitious narrative, Rev. X. H. Chamberlain, a native
of Sandwich, has published, Autobiography ,of a New
England Farm House, the scenes of which are laid in that
part of Sandwich, now Bourne. It is a reproduction, in
agreeable and picturesque style, of many local incidents and
traditions. He has also written The Sphinx of Aubery
Parish, and a volume entitled Samuel Sewell and the World
He Lived In, a book of high reputation, also several polemic
church pamphlets, book notices, lectures and historical
discourses.

Some thirty years ago, Capt. Benjamin F. Bourne, who
had been a prisoner in Southern South Amenca, wrote and
published a book entitled. The Captive in Patagonia. It
was a volume of thrilling interest and had an enormous sale.
Even at this day it is frequently called for at the book-

^846 CAPS COD.

stores, and is read with as much interest as when fresh
from the press.

Charles F. Chamberlajnie, Esq., of Bourne, has edited a
law book entitled, Best's Principles of the Liaw of Evidence,
which under the name of Chamberlavne's Best, has been
adopted as the standard authority in most of the law schools
of the country.

Sylvester Baxter, a native of Yarmouth, was for
many years one of the staff writers of the Boston Herald.
In 1883 and 1884 he went to Mexico, as editor of The
Financier of that city, and also correspondent of the
Herald. He has contributed considerably for the magazines
in the way of essays, poetr^', sketches of travel and short
stories, and although his writings have not been collected,
some of them have appeared in pamphlet foim; among
them an illustrated description of the Moi-se Collection of
Japanese Potter}', and Berlin ; a Study of German Municipal
Government; both of them published by the Essex
Institute, Salem. Here is one of Mr. Baxter's short poems,
from the Atlantic Monthly of Octo!>er, 1875, entitled
"October Davs:"

** The maples in the forest glow,
And on the lawn the fall-flowers blaze,
The mild air has a purple haze ;

My heart is filled with warmth and glow.

•*Like living coals the red leaves bum;

They fall— then turns the red to rust;

They crumble, like the coals, to dust.
Warm heart, must thou to a^hes burn?"

Other natives in professional and business life, but not
clevoted to literature as a pursuit, have contributed valuable
writings to the press in their leisure and uneiigrossed hours.
Of these it may be proper to name : Kev. Oiborn Myrick
of Provincetown, a prolific writer to the county newspapers ;

CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 347

Frederick W. Crocker of Barnstable, who wrote several
witty poems of high literary merit for occasional meetiogs
and public gatherings ; Frederick "W. Crosby of Banistable,
a writer of political papers, sketches, essays and stories in
the leading Bo&ton and !New York journals, whose career
was prematurelj- cut short in the most useful period of his
life; Benjamin Dyer, Jr., of Tniro, an officer in the
volunteer navy, who evinced a high degree of descriptive
talent; and E. S. Whittemore, Esq., of Sandwich.

Hon. John B. I). Cogswell of Yarmouth, who touched no
subject he did not elucidate and adorn, wrote as an introduc-
tion to the Atlas of Barastable County (18^0) an outline of
county history, which is a valuable and interesting epitome.
He also delivered a numl>er of well-considered, elegantly
composed public addresses and lectures, some of which have
been published. Matthew Arnold said of him that he was
the most gifted man he met in America, forming his judgment
from Mr. Cogswell's accompIii»hment as a conversationalist.

Sidney Brooks, of Hanvich, was also a writer of
intelligence and great enthusiasm u{x)n local history and
topographical description. Eev. John AV. Dodge, has
composed hymns and discourses which are always of interest
from their scholarship and litemry tinish. Capt. Thomas
P. Howes, of Dennis, has produced sea sketches, historical
jwrtraiturcs, and vivid descri))tions of travel and adventure,
which if collected in a volume would meet with rapid and
extensive appreciation, ilrs. Mary M. Braj', a native of
Yarmouth, whose 250th anniversary poem there has met
such universal admiration, wrote before and since some
graceful poems and sketches of distant places, for the
journals of the day. Miss Gertrude Alger, a young poet of
merit, who early in life passed into the spiritual world, has
produced some irrav-eful and finished poems, one or two of

848 CAPE COD.

which have found their place in the cuiTent collections of
contemporaneous poetry. Hon. Henry A. Scudder and
Hon. George Marston, of Barnstable, better knoijrn as
lawyers, aiso delivered addresses and orations which
commanded attention from their style and treatment of
impoilant public questions. Philip H. Seal's, Esq., a native
of Dennis, has delivered several public addresses, one of
the most important of which, on the celebiution of the
250th anniversary' of the settlement of Old Yarmouth, was
a finished and thoughtful presentation of the subject.
Azariah Eldridge, D. D., of Yarmouth, besides his pulpit
dbcourses, wrote several public addresses which have
commanded the attention of thoughtful readers and thinkers.
A memorial volume, containing a brief memoir of Doctor
Eldridge, by C. F. Swift, Rev. Mr. Dodge's sermon at his
obsequies and various letters and notices by personal friends,
was prepared for private circulation, under the direction of
jMrs. Eldridge.

Two school books which had a high reputation in their
day, were prepared by old-time Cape teachers. Rev..
Jonathan Burr, of Sandwich, pastor of the Fir^t church and
preceptor of Sandwich Academy, about the close of the last
centurj'- was the author of a Compcnduim of English
Grammar, which occupied a leading position in the schools
in this portion of the state for many years. Capt. Zonas
Weeks, of Marston's Mills, a prominent man in his day, a
school teacher and music teacher, was the author of a text
book on English grammar, issued about the year 1833.

In 1854, ^Irs. A. il. Richards, a daughter of Capt.
Benjamin Hallet of Ostervillc, wrote a volume of 140
pages, which was published by Gould & Lincoln, Boston,
entitled ^lemoirs of a Grandmother; by a Lady of
Massachusetts. It was an autobiography, and contained

CAPE AUTHORS AND XEWSPAPERS, 319

•

graphic sketches of incidents and individuals, some of
whom are well known to the public. Interspersed in the
narrative are a number of metrical compositions of a high
order of poetical merit.

In 188'^, a volume entitled, Biographical Sketch of
Sylvanus B. Phiimey, Wiis issued on the 80th anniversary
of his birthdav. The volume contains a sketch of his life,
letters from Revs. Edward E. Hale and A. Xiekerson, and
public addresses and pai>ers prepared by Mr. Phiuney.

Joseph Story Fay, Esq., of Wood's Hole, published in
1878 a little monograph entitled, The Track of the Norsemen,
in which he very ingeniously argues that thes^ Scandinavian
navigators visited the locality since known as 'Wood's Hole,
and that the proper name of the locality is Wood's HoU
(meaning hill), which name, through his efforts, it some time
bore. Mr. Fay, who was an enthusiastic arborator, as well
as a gentleman of literary tastes and pursuits, has delivered
among others, addresses relating to his experiences in
planting and rearing forest trees on his estate at Wood's
Hole.

Rev. J. G. Gammons issued in 1888t a monograph of the
Methodist Episcopal church of Bourne, which sketches the
rise and gro\vth of Methodism, and preserves many
interesting reminiscences of the pioneers of this sect on
Cai>e Cod and elsewhere, especially in the town of Bourne.

A Genealogy of the Burgess family, from Thomas
Burgess, who settled in Sandwich in 1637, to the j'ear 1865,
was issued at that date, l)y E. Burgess of Dedham. It was
a private edition, printed for the author, and contained 196
pages and has over 4,600 names of the family and branches,
with several lithogi-aphic portraits.

George Eldridge, of Chatham, in 1880 published a work
of Sailing Directions for Navigators, followed by other

S60 CAPE COD.

editions in 1884 and 1886. In 1889 he published Eldridge's
Tide and Current Book. These publications, together with
Mr. Eldridge's charts, are the most valuable works of the
class extant, and are looked upon as standard authority by
navigators, and adopted by the naval authorities of the
country.

Mr. Gustavus A. EUnckley has reproduced for publication
in the Barnstable Patriot, the inscriptions on the ancient
grave-stones in the old Barnstable cemetery, engraving the
blocks ^ery neatly with his own hand, and compiling
information to accompany the cuts. He lias also compiled
a manuscript History of Barnstable in the Civil AVar.

In 1866, Mrs. Caroline (Thacher) PeiTy, of Yarmouth^
collected a volume of short stories which she had contributed
to the New Church Magazine for Children, and they were
published, with illustrations, by Nichols & Noyes, of
Boston, under the title, Efiie Gray and other Short Stories
for Little Children. These stories possessed the rare merit
in juvenile literature of interesting the class of readers for
which they were designed.

Rev. Dr. William H. Ryder, a native of Provincctown,
who deceased in Chicago, where he settled in 1888, was a
pulpit orator of eloquence and power, and wrote some able
articles for the Universalist Quarterly. His writings,
however, have not appeared in a collected form.

Heman Doane, of Eastham, has written a number of
metrical compositions, a few of which have been published,
and which possess a good degree of poetic fancy and facility
of versification. One of them, on the Ancient Pear Tree in
Eastham, planted by Governor Prince, attracted the atten-
tion of Thoreau, who quoted freely therefrom.

**Two hundred years have, ou the wIti^s of time.
Passed with their joys aud wo^'s, siiiee thou, Old Tree!

CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. »!

Put forth thy flr>t leaver in thiit foreijcu clime,
Trausplauted from the aoII be joud the M^tt.

**That exiled 1)aud long eiue^ have pa««ed away^

And t^tiil Old Tree thou ntandest in the place
Where Prince's hand did plant thee, in hi« dar, —

An uiide:(i;;ncd memorial of hii« race
And time; of those our honoi*ed fathers, when

They came from Plymouth o'er and settled here;
Doanc, Hi^r^ns, Snow and other worthy men.

Whose name^ their aons remember to revere."

James Gifford, of Provincetown, has prepared aud
delivered public addresses which have attracted attention
by their felicity of style and fullness of information. That
delivered at the dedication of the Provineetown new town
hall, in the fall of 1866, was published and read with
interest and appreciation. Levi Atwood, of Chatham, has
written considerably upon local matters. He published, in
1876, a condensed history of Chatham, occupying several
columns of small newspai>er type, written in an appreciative
and discriminating spirit. Nathaniel Hinckley, of ^larston's
^lills, besides writing much and ably for the newspapers,
and delivering public addresses, has published several
political pamphlets, of considerable argumentative force.

Not only has Cape Cod furnished a considerable contri-
bution of the best literature to the world, but it has been
provocative of a good deal of interesting writing from
others, in respect to its characteristics, both mental and
physical. It is scared}' to be wondered at, that a community
so peculiarly situated as this should attract attention and
excite curiosity. In 1807, an Englishman named Kendall
visited these parts and published a book, in which he devoted
a liberal share of si)ace to this county. Although it
contained nothing very striking, it embodied some interesting
and curious information resj^cting the Cape, at that day,

352 CAPE COD.

when intercourse with the world was quite infrequent to the
mass of the people.

About 1821, Dr. Timothy D wight, former president of
Yale College, published his Tmvels in Xew England, in
four volumes, a liberal space being devoted to Cape Cod.
His book was full of information, and appreciative in that
part devoted to the Cape. At a later period, N. P. Willis
wrote for a New York newspaper, and afterward embodied
in a book, a series of lively, touch-and-go letters, dealing
more particularly with the outward aspect of the Cape.
Some of his strictures gave offence and others were more
agreeable to the popular taste. Though not profound, this
book was exceedingly suggestive and entertaining.

Of all the numerous publications of this nature ever issued
from the press, Thoreau's Cape Cod is by far the best, as a
literary production, and for genuine appreciation of the
grand physical aspects of the Cape, and of the true qualities
of its people. Thoreau had a keen relish for quaint and
curious phases of character as well as of landscape, and his
pictures of the ''Wellfleet oystennen" and of other original
people revealed the pre^jence among us of striking person-
alities. His admiration of the Cape is genuine, and his
closing page records his conWetion that "the time must come
when this coast will be a place of resort for all those who
wish to visit the seaside. ♦ • • What are springs
and waterfalls? Here is the spring of springs and the
waterfall of waterfalls. * * * A man may stand there
and put all America behind him."

It only remains to remark that the paternal parent of
John Howard Payne, the author of "Home, Sweet Home,*'
was of Cape Cod origin, and that Harvey Birch, the
prototype of Cooper's "Spy," originated in Harwich, his
real name being Enoch Crosby, and his actual experience

CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 858

bcins: matched bv all the incidents recounted in this most
characteristic of the authoi*'s works, Tliough not himself
the creator of one of the most striking personalities in
modem iiction, he was, what is still better, the original of
this most prominent chai*acter.

The newspapers of the Cape have been many, and more
ability has been embodied in their publication than has
always found appreciation — of a pecuniary nature. The
first ncwsi>aper published in the county was issued at
Falmouth, November 21, 1823, by W. E. P. Rogers, under
the name of The Nautical Intelligencer. It was issued
weekly, at two dollars per year. In addition to the
newspaper, the publishers i^^sued, twice each week, extras
containing the marine news and important arrivals at
Holmes's Hole, for transmission to Boston. The paper also
indulged in political speculations, being a strong adherent
of ]VIr. Calhoun for President, for the reasons, among
others, that he was ""an enlightened friend of Internal
Improvements and Domestic Manufactures." This eulogy
sounds oddly enough in view of his subsequent course. The
paper was printed on a sheet 18 by 25 inches, with four
pages, containing four columns each, 16 inches in length.
In its first issue there was not a single item of local news
except deaths, mamages and ship-news, and it contained
twelve advertisements. It did not continue in existence
long — probably not more than a year and a half.

Removing his printing and material to Barnstable, Mr.
Rogers, on April 13, 1825. conunenced the publication of
the Barnstable County Gazette. The Gazette had one more
column on each page than its predecessor, and a rather
larger advertising patronage. It paid more attention to local
news; but that was not a newspaper reading age, and its

864 CAPE COD.

publication was continued not over two years, so far as can
now be ascertained.

In 1826 y the Barnstable Journal was commenced by
Nathaniel S. Simpkius. It was a six-column newsimper,
containing a few paragraphs of local news, considerable
shipping intelligence, and liberal extracts from the Boston
and New York newspapers, also miscellany and moral
readings. The Jounial attained a good circulation. In
1832 'Mr. Simpkins sold out the establishment to H.
Underwood and C. C. P. Thompson, who published, for one
year, also a semi- weekly paper called the Cape Cod Journal.
In 1834 Mr. Underwood became the sole proprietor of the
weekly, which in 1837 again passed into the hands of Mr.
Simpkins, who removed the plant to Yarmouth, and
established the Register.

The Barnstable Patriot was established by S. B. Phinney,
in 1830, and was conducted by him until 18G9, when he
sold out to Franklin B. Goss and George H. Richards.
Subsequently the whole establishment was acquired by Jilr.
Goss, who now conducts it, in connection with his son, F.
Percy Goss. The Patriot, during Mr. Phinney's connection
with it, was an active and aggressive democratic sheet.
Some time after Mr. Goss's assumption of the management,
it espoused the republican cause, in which it still maintains
a lively interest. During ^Ir. Phinney's proprietorship of
the newspaper, Hon. Henry Crocker was a frequent editorial
contributor, mostly of political articles. The Patriot is
now the oldest journal in the county. In 1S51, the Sand-
wich Mechanic was for one year issued at the Patriot office.

Dec. 15, 1836, the first number of the Yarmouth Register
was issued by N. S. Simpkins, publisher. The plant had
been purchased by -Nle^jsrs. John Reed, Amos Otis, N. S.
Simpkins, Ebenezer Bacon and Edward B. Hallet. Mr.

CAFE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. ?K5

Simpkins was assisted in the editorship hy contributions
from Messrs. Caleb S. Hunt and Amos Otis. The j^aper,
l>e?>iiles being a 1<k*a1 journal, was designed to champion the
cause of Hon. John Reed, the menil)er of couirrcss from
this district, and to oppose the Jackson and Van Buren
dvnastv, which was either obnoxious in this countv. The
controversies witli the Barnstable Patriot, which folllowed,
were exceedingly bitter and personal, on both sides. In
1831), ilr. Sinipkins retired from the management of the
paper and was succeeded by William S. Fisher, who was a
printer by profession, and who infused considerable vigor
into its management. In 184G, the present proprietor,
Charles F. Swift, became connected with the management
of the Register, as co-partner with Mr. Fisher, and in 184(t
became sole editor and publisher. During the last fifty
years the conduct of the paper has been in his hands, with
assistance successively by his four sons, Francis M.,
Frederick C, Theodore W., and Charles W. Swift. The
Register, which was originally a whig journal, and supported
Webster, Clay, Taylor and Scott for the presidency, had
alwaj's been strongly anti-slavery in its proclivities, and, in
1857, warmly espoused the cause of the republicans, which
it has ever since supported, with earnestness and without
reservation. The Register has also paid much attention to
questions of social reform and general and local histoiy.

The Sandwich Observer was first issued in September,.
1845, by George Phinney. It was a 24-column folio, 24 by
36 inches, and was devoted to general and local news.
Dr. John Harper and C. B. H. Fessenden were special
contributors to its columns. The Observ^er attained a fair
patronage, being neutnil in politics and having the support
of all the political parties, but the field was at best a limited
one, and in August, 1851, Mr. Phinney removed his

3G8 CAPE COD.

establishment to North Bridgewater (now Brockton), where
he founded the Gazette of that town.

A monthly newspaper, called the Cape Cod News, was
issued in Provincetown, though printed elsewhere, the first
number bearing date of June, 1856, A. S. Dudley and
Bufus Conant, publishers. But few numbers were issued.

The Provincetown Banner was issued in 18 'jS, by John W.
Emery, editor and proprietor. It was a 24-coIumn journal,
republican in politics, somewhat radical in its tone. It was
published until 1862, when it was discontinued and the
material removed from town.

In August, 1857, the Atlantic Messenger was established
at Hyannis, by Edwin Coombs. It was a 24-column journal,
21 by 20 inches, price 81.00 per year. It was devoted to
anti-slavery, politics and social discussions. It was once or
twice discontinued and started a^ain. But the encourasre-
ment received by the proprietor was not sufficient to sustain
the enterprise, and the concluding number was issued about
the year 1863.

January 2, 1862, the first numl>er of the Cape Cod
Republican was issued at Harwich, by John AV. Emery,
fonnerly of the Provincetown Banner, the printing office of
which journal had l)een removed for the purpose. It was in
style and make-up similar to the Banner. In 1864, Mr.
Emery returned to Harwich and started the Harwich Press,
a paper similar to the Republican. In less than a year he
abandoned the field, and removed to ^linnesota. The list
of the Press was sold to the proprietor of the Yarmouth
Register.

The Pro^'incetown Advocate was issued in 1869, by F.
Percy Goss, publisher. Dr. J. M. Crocker was editor for
about seven years, when Mr. Goss assumed the editorial
charge, and conducted the paper for three years longer. In

CAP£ AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 857

1879, II. H. Sylvester, recently of the Boston Record, pur^
chased an interest m the paper and conducted it for a year,
disposing of his interest to N. T. Freeman, who acquired
Mr. Goss's interest also. In December, 1886, the estab-
lishment was purchased by Howard F. Hopkins, who has
since been its publisher. His brother, Judge James H.
Hopkins, edited the sheet until his lamented death.

In Xovcml>er, 1870, the Provincetown News, a 32-column
republican newspaper, was issued by J. H. Barnard & Co.,
with J. Howard Barnard, editor. The price of the paper
was $2.50 per year, in advance ; $3.00 after three months.
At the end of four months the enterprise was given up, and
the list transferred to other newspapers.

The Chatham Monitor was first issued October 1, 1871, at
the Patriot office. Dr. Benjamin D. Gilford being the editor.
It was devoted to local and general news, and was
republican in politics. In 1873, Levi Atwood assumed the
editorship. Mr. Atwood had previously been a contributor
to other county journals, and was well known as a writer of
pith and vigor. The Monitor is still continued under his
editorship.

The Cape Cod Bee was issued in 1880, at the Patriot
office, F. Percy Goss, publisher. It is a local journal and
is republican in its politics.

About 1872, ^lessrs. J. H. Nichols and William C. Spring
started the Sandwich Gazette, which was afterwards merged
with the Falmouth Chronicle, which Mr. Spring had started
in 1872. Henry Jones was the Falmouth editor. Mr.
Spring for some time continued the paper, under the style
of Gazette and Chronicle. In October, 1873, F. S. Pope
took the plant of the Chronicle, and established the Seaside
Press, devoted to the local interests of Sandwich and
Falmouth. J. H. Stevens was editor, and Mr. Jones

858 CAPE COD.

continued in charge of the Fakuouth department. In 1880,
Mr. Pope sold hi:* interest to F, H. Burgess, who changed
the name to AVeekly Review, with Benjamin Cook as editor
for a time. In 1884, Mr. Burgess sold his interest to
George Otis, and the list was merged with the Cape
Cod Item.

The Harwich Independent was established in 1872, by
Gross & Richards, of the Patriot, the paper being printed in
Barnstable. The local department was put in type at a job
office which the publishers had set up in Harwich. The
editorial writing for the first few years was by Mr. Wilcox,
Josiah Paine and Dr. Geo. N. Munsell. In 1880, Alton P.
Goss purchased the establishment, added a press and other
machinery, and put the paper on a prosperous basis. The
leanings of the paper are towards republicanism, but the
Independent is more especially a local jounial, in which
field it has achieved a good degree of success.

The Cape Cod Item was started July 11, 1878, at
Yaimouthport, by George Otis. It was gi'aduall}^ enlarged
to an 8-page journal, issuing a single or double supplement
a portion of the year. It was at Mrst devoted to local and
general news. In 1889, William P. Reynolds, Esq., was
associated with ^Ir. Otis in the editoishii>, and the paper,
which was discontinued in the spring of 181^3, after being
issued a few weeks as a daily, has been revived, and is now
published weekly at the Barnstable Patriot office.

The Maytlovrer was a miscellaneous and story journal,
published by George Otis of the Item, from 1881 to 1889.
It had a large circulation, but the price — 50 cents j^er year
— was inadequate to the cost of production, and its list was
merged in the Yankee Blade, of Boston, in June, 1887,
The Ocean Wave, an 8-page weekly, w:\s is!?ued by George
Otis from October, 1888, to Mav, 1889.

CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 8»

The Sandwich Observer (the second puhlieation by that
name) was issued in 1884, l>eing printed at the Patriot
office, and edited by Ambrose E. Pratt of Sandwich. Sir.
Pratt was succeeded, about 1887, b}' Frank O. Ellis, and he
by Mr. W. II. Heald, who still has charge of the publication.
It is more especially devoted to the interests of the towns
of Sandwich and Bourae, and is republican in politics.

The Falmouth Local was established by Lewis F. Clarke,
who issued the first number, March 11, 1886. It was a
three-column folio, printed one page at a time on a job
press in the building of the Continenal shoe store. At
the close of 18^7 it had been enlarged, since which time it
was for a while edited bj' Ambrose E. Pratt and George S.
Hudson. In 1890 it was merged in the Cape Cod
Indei)endent.

The Cape Cod Independent was first issued in Falmouth
in 1890. It was edited for several months as an advocate
of ** Tariff Keform" and as a local journal, under the
editorship of Kev. X. H. Chamberlain ; and was afterwards
conducted as a local newspaper, by R. P. Femald, Chas. F.
Adams, Stuart P. West, and Charles S. Burgess, until
March, 1895.

The Independent, Sandwich and Bourne, was at first an
edition of the Cape Cod Independent, Falmouth. Since
Jan. 12, 1895, it has l)een published by II. L. Chipman of
Sandwich. Upon the suspension of the Cape Cod
Independent, under that title, in 1895, this paper was
continued, and is therefore, the successor of the Cai)e Cod
Independent and Falmouth Local. Its circulation is chiefly
in Sandwich, Bourne and !Mashpee,

The Bamstahle County Journal was issued for four years
from January, 1886, by James B. Cook. It was a 32-
column folio, published at $1.50 a year. In politics it was

»0 CAPE COD.

democratic — the only newspaper of that faith in the county
of Barnstable. The plant was sold to C. F. Swift & Son.

February 17, 1887, William R. Farris, George R. Phillips
and Charles H. Crowell issued the first number of the Cape
Cod News, at South Yarmouth. It was a small twenty-
column paper, devoted to local intelligence. In July, 1888,
the list was sold to George Otis and absorbed by the Item.

Two later candidates for the favor of newspaper readers
— the Wellfleet Xews and the Sandwich Review were issued
November 12, 1889, by the proprietor of the Item. They
were 8-page papers, devoted to miscellany and the local
news of the respective towns. The News was written up
by llrs. A. H. Rogers and the Review by N. E. Linekin.
They had a brief existence.

The Provincetown Beacon, an 8-page, 24 column news-
paper, was first issued August 2, 1890, by Charles W. Swift»
its genei*al editor and proprietor. H. A. Jennings was the
local editor and reporter until Dec. 27, 1890, when he was
succeeded by Richard F. Gardner, who in turn was
succeeded. May 16, 1891, by John N. Swift, who has since
continued in that relation. Mr. Swift's accounts of marine
incidents and shipwrecks have been advantageously com-
pared to the sea narratives of W. Clark Russell, and his
general reports are very full and accumte. The Beacon is
a local journal with republican proclivities.

In 1896 the plant of the Independent was purchased l)y
Charles S. Burgess, who in April of 1895, had first issued
the Falmouth Enterprise, which Mr. Burgess has since
continued to publish, and which paper is now the only one
published and printed in Falmouth. It is a local journal,
without political afiiliations.

CHAPTER XXI.

POPULATION. CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC.

E«ttiDal«s aiiil £arl7 Euti mem t Ions— Elereu Decennial Censurec —
United HtaleH umeinls— Jndlclnl Ofllcers— County Offii-ials—
Couuty S<>(jletie:'— Piiinticiiil Mid Baiiking luvtltution*— Other
SotielieD.

STATISTICS OP FOPtLATION.

''^^^.^•^A-^^ of the inhabitants of the Cape Cod towns
ifrom the time of settlement, until 1765.
/A list of those between the ages of 16 and
^,f^, 60, able to bear anus iu the three towD-
Bhipa of the Cape, id 1643, gave 51 in
Sandwich, 60 in Barnstable, 32 in
B Yarmouth. Tliese must have embraced at
least one-quarter of the inhabitants, which
would make the population of those towns at that time
about as follows :

Sandwich, 51 204

Barnstable. 60 240

Yarmouth, 52 208

163 652

A manuscript in the British Museum contains ao
enumeration of the houses of "all the trading towns and
pons upon the sea and navigable rivers " in New England^
in 1G75. There were 1,300 such houses in Plymouth
colony. Of these 100 were in Sandwich, 150 in Yarmonth,
100 in Xauset, 150 in Barnstable, making 500 in the Cape

982 CAPE COD.

towns. Allowing 6 persons to each house — and large
families were then the rule — would give 600 people to
Sandwich, 900 to Yarmouth, 600 to Xauset, 900 to Barn-
stable — 3,000 to the entire Cape.

The first census of Massachusetts was taken by order of
Gov. Bernard, in 176/>. The report of the population of
the 11 towns of Barnstable countv was as follows:
Barnstable, 2,008; Chatham, 678; Eastham, 1,327;
Falmouth, 1,063 ; Harwich, 1,681 ; Distnct of Mashpee,
108; Provineetown, 454; Sandwich, 1,376; Truro, 924;
Wellfleet, 917 ; Yannouth, 1,740. Total, 12,376.

FoUowins: is the result of the eleven decennial censuses
of the United States, for the towns of the County of
Barnstable :

Years,

1790.

1800.

1810.

1820.

1830.

1840.

Barnstable,

2610

2964

8646

3824

8974

4901

Brewster,

1112

1283

1418

1523

Chatham,

1110

1351

1334

1630

2130

23.^

Dennis,

1408

1730

1997

2317

2942

Eastham,

18*4

6^

751

7GG

970

955

Falmouth,

1637

1882

2237

2370

2548

2589

Harwich,

:^302

2857

1942

1980

2453

2930

Ma.<hpee,

dU8

l^5

i;a)

150

OUO

309

Orleaus,

1005

1248

1343

1789

1974

Provineetown,

454

812

9:^;

l:i:>2

ino

2122

Sandwich,

1001

2024

2382

2484

3361

3719

Truro,

1103

1152

1209

1241

1547

1920

Wellfleet,

1117

1207

1402

iiri

2l>46

2377

Yarmouth,

2678

1727

21^4

2232

22i>l

2554

17,354

10,293

22,211

24,026

28,514

32,548

Years,

1850.

18G0.

1870.

1880.

1890.

Barnstable,

4901

5129

4793

4242

4023

Bourne,

1442

Brewi»ter,

1525

1489

1259

1144

lOCK)

Chatham,

2439

2710

2411

2250

la-u

Dennis,

3257

mTi

;«o-9

3:^88

28<I9

Eustham,

845

779

GC8

692

602

Falmouth,

2C21

2456

2237

2422

25«7

Harwich,

3258

a423

3a^)

0205

27^4

Mashpee,

000

322

;^48

."UH

298

Orleans,

1848

1078

l.'J23

1294

1219

Provineetown,

3157

320fi

3Mr>

4.^16

4(^42

Sandwich,

436S

4479

^m

3.54.3

1819

Truro,

2051

158:^

1269

1017

919

Wellfleet,

2411

2322

2i:«

1^75

1291

Yarmouth,

2595

2752

2423

2173

1760

35^6 85,990 32,774 31,897 29,172

POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS. SOCIETIES, ETC. 8©

KEPRESEXTATIVES IX CONGRESS.

Since the adoption of the national constitution the
following pereons, resident in the county of Barnstable, have
been chosen representatives in the federal congress:

Shearjashub Bourne of Barnstable, 2d and 3d congresses,
1791 to 1795.

Nathaniel Freeman, Sandwich, 4th and 5th congresses,
1795 to 1799.

Isaiah L. Green, Barnstable, 9th and 10th congresses, 1805
to 1809, and 12th congress, 1811-12.

John Reed, Yannouth, 13th and 14th congi-esses, 1813 to
1817, and 17th to 2(Uh congresses, inclusive, 1823 to 1841.

Zeno Scudder, Barnstable, 32d congress, 1851 to 1853.
Elected to the 32d congress, but resigned before taking his
oeai.

John Simpldns, Yarmouth, 54th and 55th congresses,
1895 to 1899.

COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS.

No record exists, so far as known, of the customs officers
of the county of Barnstable, prior to the Revolution. The
first customs office in the county, after the throwing off of
the Britifijh rule, was established in 1776, under the title of
*' naval officer," Joseph Otis being the appointee. AVilliam
Tajior succeeded him in 1779. Samuel Taylor was in
office in 1789. By an act of congress of 1789 the office of
collector of customs was created, and the following persons
have since been incumbents :

Joseph Otis, appointed Aug. 3, 1789, and he held the
posjition until ^larch 21, 1809 — 19 years and 7 months,

William Otis, who was appointed March 23, 1809, and
held it until Feb. 20, 1814 — 4 years and 11 months.

9U CAPE COD.

Isaiah L. Green, from Feb. 21, 1814, to ]&Iarch 81, 1837
— 23 years and 1 month.

Henry Crocker, from April 1, 1837, to March 22, 1841
— 3 years, 11 months.

Ebenezer Bacon, from March 23, 1841, to March 31^
1845; and from June 10, 1849, to March 31, 1853 — 7
years, 10 months.

Josiah Hinckley, from April 1, 1845, to April 3, 1847 —
2 years.

Sylvanus B. Phinney, from April 4, 1847, to June 7»
1849; from April 1, 1853, to June 30, 1861; and from
Nov. 11, 1866, to March 4, 1867 — 10 years, 8 months.

Joseph M. Day, from July 1, 1861, to Nov. 11, 1861—4
months.

Charles F. Swift, from Nov. 12, 1861, to Nov. 10, 1866 ;
and from March 17, 1867, to July 7, 1876 — 14 years, 3
months.

Walter Chipman (Sp. Dep., acting) from March 5, 1867,
to March 16, 1867 — 11 days.

Franklin B. Goss, from July 8, 1876, to Aug. 8, 1887 ;
and from Aug. 1, 1889, to Feb. 17, 1894—15 years, 7
months.

Van Burcn Chase, from Aug. 8, 1887, to Aug. 1, 1889 —
2 years.

Thomas C. Day, from Feb. 17, 1894.

EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS.

From the adoption of the state constitution, to 1840,
nine executive councillors were annually chosen by joint
ballot of the legislature, from among ''those elected as
senators and councillors," but in case anv so chosen should
not accept, the vacancies were provided to be filled by
choice from the people at large. Under that rule, Braddock

POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 865

Diinmick of Falmouth, and Elijah Swift of FalDumth, had
been chosen prior to 1840. By the Thirteenth amendment,
promulgated that year, councillors were, until 1857, chosen
from the people at large, and Seth Crowell of Dennis,
Solomon Davis of Truro, and John Kenrick of Orleans
were, under that provision, severally incumbents of the
ofBce. In 1858 the state was divided into eight districts for
councillors, to be elected by the people, and the Cape since
that time has fonned a portion of the First district. The
following persons from Bam.'^table county have, during that
period, served as councillors : 18G0, Charles F. Swift,
Yarmouth; 1869-1871, Marshall S. Undei-wood, Dennis;
1875-1878, Joseph K. Baker, Dennis; 1888-1892, Isaac N.
Keith of Bourne.

SENATORS.

From 1780, when the state constitution took effect, to
1840, the count}'^ of Barnstable was entitled to a senator
each year. Their names and terms of service to 1840 were
as follows: 1780 to 1786, Solomon Freeman, Hanvich;
1787, Thomas Smith, Sandwich; 1789 to 1796, inclusive,
Solomon Freeman, Harwich; 1797, David Thacber,
Yarmouth; 179S-1 799, Solomon Freeman, Harwich; 1801-
1803, John Dillingham, Harwich; 1804, Bichard Sears,
Chatham; 1805, John Dillingham, Ilai-wich; 1806-1807,
James Freeman, Sandwich ; l.':<08-1810, Braddock Dimmick,
Falmouth; 1811, Timothy Phinney, Barnstable; 1813-1814,
Wendell Davis, Sand^vich; 1815-1820, Solomon Freeman,
Brewster; 1821-1822, Elijah Cobb of Brewster; 1823-1825,
Braddock Dimmick, Falmouth; 1826-1827, Nymphas
Marston, Barnstable; 1828-1830, Elisha Pope, Sandwich;
1831-1833, John Doane, Orleans; 1834-1839, Charles
Marston, liar n stable.

866 CAPE COD.

By the terms of the Thirteenth amcudmcnt to the
constitution, promulgated in 1840 the county for the next
seventeen years was entitled to two senators, from the j^ear
1841. Their names and terms of service were : 1841,
Charles ^larston, BaiTistablCi Seth Crowell, Dennis ; 1842,
Seth Crowell, Dennis, Solomon Davis, Truro; 1843,
Solomon Davis, Truro, John B. Dillingham, Sandwich;
1844, Solomon Davis, Truro, John B. Dillingham, Sand-
wich; 1845, Solomon Davis, John B. Dillingham; 1846,
Zeno Scudder, Barnstable, Barnabas Freeman, Eastham;
1847, Zeno Scudder, Barnstable, Baniabas Freeman,
Eastham ; 1848, Zeno Scudder, Barnstable, George Cope-
land, Brewster; 1849, George Copcland, Brewster, John
Jenkins, Falmouth; 1850, John Jenkiiii^. Stephen Hiiliard,
Provincetown ; 1851, Stephen Hiiliard, Zenas D. Bassett,
Barnstable ; 1852, Zenas D. Bassett, Cyrus Weekes,
Harwich; 1853, Cyrus Weekes, James B. Crocker,
Yarmouth; 1854, James B. Crocker, Robert Y. Paine,
Wellfleet; 1855, Sylvester Baxter, Yarmouth, Lewis L.
Sellew, Provincetown; 1856, Sylvester Baxter, Alfred
Kenrick, Orleans; 1857, Charles F. Swift, Yarmouth, John
W. Atwood, Chatham.

By the Twenty-seventh amendment, which went into
effect in 1858, the state was divided into foi-tv senatorial
districts, Yarmouth and the to^vns below bcin'r desisrnated
as the Cape District, and the three other Cape towns being
united with the islands, under the name of the Island
District. This apportionment existed until 1877. The
representation of the Cape district during that period was :
1858, Charles F. Swift; 1859, John ^V. Atwood; 18G0-
1861, Marshall S. Underwood, Dennis; 1SG2-18C3, llobert
H. Libby, WellHeet; 1864-1865, Freeman Cobb, Brewster;
1866, Reuben Nickerson, Eastham; 1867-1868, Chester

POPUL^VTION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 367

Snow, Harwich; 1869, 1870, 1871, Nathaniel E. Atwood,
Provincetown ; 1872-1873, Joseph K. Baker, Dennis;
1874-1875, Thomas N. Stone, Well/lect; 187G, Jonathan
Higgins, Orleans. The Island district, during this period,
was . represented by Cape men, as follows: 1861-1862,
Charles Dillingham, Sandwich; 1863-1864, Nathan Crocker,
Rimstahle; 1867-1868, Erasmus Gould, Faimouth; 1869-
1870, George A. King, Banistable; 1873-1874, Francis A.
Nve, Falmouth; 1875-1876, Ezra C. Howard, Sandwich.

Since 1877 to the present time, the two districts have
been united, under the name of the Cape district, and the
senators from the district have been: 1877, 1878, 1879,
John B. D. Cogswell; 1880, 1881, Samuel Snow, Barnsta-
ble; 1882, 1883, JoseiVii P. Johnson, Provincetown; 1884,
1885, 1886, Howes Norris, Cottage City; 1887, 1888, Isaac
N. Keith, Bourne; 1889, 1890, David Fisk, Dennis; 1891,
1892, John Simpkins, Yannouth ; 1893, 1894, John Kenrick,
Jr., Orleans; 1895, 1896, 1897, Wm. A. Morse, Tisbury.

JUDICIAL OFFICERS.

From the creation of the county to the Revolutionary war,
local and county courts, under varying designations, have
existed, but owing to the destruction of the records it is
impracticable to prepare a complete list of the incumbents.
The following persons were justices of the Common Pleas, or
of the Court of Sessions, at tlie date specified : 1692, John
Freeman, Eastham ; Barnabas Lothrop, Barnstable ; John
Thacher, Yarmouth; Stephen Skiff, Eastham. 1695, Jona-
than Sparrow, Eastham. 1699, f John Sparrow, Eastham.
1710, William Bassett, Sandwich. 1711, John Gorham,
Barnstable. 1713, John Doanc, Eastham; Dan'l Parker,
Barnstable ; Thomas Payne, Eastham ; John Otis, Sam'l
Annable, Rimstable. 1715, ^lelatiah Bourne, Sandwich;

968 CAPE COD.

Sam'l Sturgis, Barnstable; Nathaniel Fi*ceman, Harwich.
1721, Joseph Lothrop, Barnstable. 1722, Joseph Doane,
Eastham. 1727, Ezra Bourne, Sand\\ich; 1729, Peter
Thacher, Yarmouth; Shul)ael Baxter, Yarmouth. 1736,
John Thacher, Yarmouth ; John Davis, Barnstable. 1739,
John Russell, Banistable. 1742, Shubael Gorham, Barn-
stable; David Crocker, Barnstable. 1746, John Otis,
Barnstable. 1753, Thomas Winslow, Harwich. 1758,
Sjlvanus Bourne, Barnstable; Thomas Smith, Sandwich;
Rowland Robinson, Falmouth. 1760, Nymphas Marston,
Barnstable. 1763, Roland Cotton, Sandwich. 1764, James
Otis, Barnstable ; Edward Bacon, Barnstable. 1765, John
Gorham, Barnstable. 1770, Isaac Hinckley, Barnstable.

The following names, dates of conunission not ascertained,
should be added to the list : Melatiah. Bourne, Sandwich ;
Shearjashub Bourne, David Gorham, Solomon Otis, Joseph
Otis, Daniel Davis, Rich. Bourne, Barnstable; David
Thacher, Yarmouth ; Kcnelm Winslow, Harwich.

Since the Revolution and down to the year 1809, the
following justices of the Common Picas were appointed,
under authority of "the government and people of
Massachusetts Bay:" 1775, Jame.s Otis, Daniel Davis,
Barnstable ; Nathaniel Freeman, Sandwich, successively
chief justices ; Richard Baxter, Yannouth. 1775, Joseph
Xye, Jr., Sandwich. 1781, Solomon Freeman, Hai-wich.
1793, John Davis, Barnstable. 17i)9, Ebenczer Bacon,
Barnstable. 1801, David Scudder, Barnstable. 1803,
Samuel Waterman, AVellfleet. 1804, Thomas Thacher,
Yarmouth. 1809, Isaiah L. Green and Timothy Phinney,
Barnstable. 1809, AVendell Davis, Sandwich.

The Court of Sessions, created in 1808, changed in 1811,
to Court of Sessions of the Peace, and abolished in 1828,
was a county tribunal. The date of commissions of the

POPULATIOX, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 909

justices is wanting, owing to destruction of court house
records. The foUowins: are known to have been incumbents
during that period : Nathaniel Fi^eeman, Sandwich ; John
Davis, Barnstable, chief justices, with the following
associates : Joseph Dimmick, Falmouth ; James Freeman,
Sandwich; Samuel Freeman, JBastham; Isaiah L. Green,
Barnstable; Solomon Freeman, Brewster; Richard Sears,
Chatham; Calvin Tilden, Yarmouth; Samuel P. Croswell,
Falmouth ; Elijah Cobb, Brewster ; Elisha Doane, Yarmouth ;
Naler Crocker, Barnstable; Melatiah Bourne, Sandwich.
Most of the foregoing judges, especially in the very early
period of the colony, were not educated to the law, and had
little le<?al trainincr.

The following are the judges of Probate, who have
occupied that position : 1702, Barnabas Lothrop, Bamsta*
ble. 1714, John Otis, Barnstable. 1727, Melatiah Bourne,
Sandwich. 1741-2, Sylvanus Bourne, Sandwich. 1764,
James Otis, Barnstable. 1781, Daniel Davis, Barnstable.
1799, Ebenezer Bacon, Barnstable. 1800, John Davis,
Barnstable. 1825, Job C. Davis, Barnstable. 1828,
Nymphas Marston, Barnstable. 1854, George Marston,
Barnstable. 1858, Joseph M. Day, Barnstable.* 1882,
Hiram P. Harriman, "Wellfleet.

Courts of Insolvency were established by the authority of
a statute of June 6, 1856. This court was consolidated
with the Probate court March 26, 1858, under the style of
Court of Probate and Insolvency. Simeon N. Small of
Yarmouth was judge of this court, and John P. Washburn
of Barnstable, register.

District Courts were established in the county of Barnsta-
ble by the act of 1890, chapter 177. The First District
jurisdiction extends to the towns of Barnstable, Boume»

^Judge of Probate aud lu^lveuvy, from the above date.

«rO CAPE COD.

Falmjuth, Maslipee, Sandwich, Yarmouth. The Second,
the remaining towns in the county. Sessions of the First,
in Barnstable every day but Saturday ; Saturday at Buzzard's
Bay. Second, sessions ever}' day but Friday in Province-
town; on Friday in Harwich. For the tiial of criminal
cases, with juiisdiction in civil cases for the sum of $1000.
Following are the appointments: First — Justice, 1890,
William P. Reynolds ; 1893, Frederick C. Swift. Associate
Justices, 1890, Ebenezer S. Whittemore, Frederick C.
Swift; 1892, Smith K. Hopkins; 1893, Henry M. Hutch-
ings. Second — Justice, 1890, James H. Hopkins; 189d,
Baymond A. Hopkins. Associate Justices, 1890, Tully
Crosby, Jr., George T. Wyer.

COUXTY OFFICERS.

The following have ser\'ed as registers of Probate :
1686, Joseph Lothrop,* Banistable, 1702, William Bassett,
Sandwich. 1721, Xathaniel Otis, Barnstable. 1729,
Sylvanus Bourne, Barnstable. 1740-1741, David Gorham,
Barnstable. 1775, Nathaniel Freeman, Sandwich. 1823,
Abner Davis, Banibtablc. 1836, Timothy Reed, Barnstable.
1852, Nathaniel Hinckley, Barnstable. 1853, George
Marston, Barnstable. 1854, Joseph M. Day, Banistable.
1854, Rufus S. Pope, Barnstable. 1858, Charles F. Swift,
Yarmouth. 1859, Jonathan Higgins, Orleans. 1874,
Charles Thacher, 2d, Yannouth. 1884, Freeman H.
Lothrop, Barnstable.

The following have been the incumbents of the oflSce of
register of deeds, but the date for determining the term of
service has been destroyed: 1686, Joseph Lothrop,.
Barnstable; AVilliam Bassett, Sandwich; John Thacher,

•Mr. Lothrop was called couutj* recorder in <orae of the old paper?,
placing oil record deeds, couveyuuces and other iu^truIueut;».

POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 871

Bani8table ; Solomon Otis, Barnstable ; PMward Bacon,
Barnstable; Ebenczer Bacon, Barastabic; Job C. Davis,
Barnstable ; Lothrop Davis, Barnstable ; Fred'k Scuddcr,
Barnstable; 1874, S. K. Hopkins, Barnstable; 1877, Asa
E. Lovell, Barnstable; 1887, Andrew F. Sherman,
Barnstable. '

The county treasurers, so far as can be determined, have
been: Solomon Otis, Barnstable. 1784, Edward Bacon,
Barnstable. 1785, EI>enezer Bacon, Barnstable. 1814,
David Crocker, Biirastable. 1824, Ebenezer Bacon, Barn-
stable. 1837, Josiah Hinckley, Barnstable. 1842, Fred'k
Scudder, Barnstable. 1853, Chas. F. Swift, Yarmouth.
1857, Obed Baker, 2d, Dennis. 1862, Gorham Hallett,
Barnstable. 1868, Samuel Higgins, Chatham. 1874, Chas.
H. Nye, Barnstable. 1880, William H. Underwood,
Harwich. 1886, ^Marshall L. Adams, Provincetown. 1889,
Clarendon A. Freeman, Chatham. 1895, Edward L. Chase,
Barnstable.

The clerks of courts have been, so far as known:
William Bassett, Sandwich ; Nath'l Otis, Barnstable ; John
Sturgis, Banistable ; Joseph Otis, Banistable ; Wm. Otis,
Barnstable ; David Scudder, Barnstable ; Abner Davis,
Banistable ; 1840, Timothy Reed, Barnstable ; 1855, Fred'k
W. Crocker, Barnstable; 1863, James B. Crocker, Yar-
mouth; 1876, Smith K. Hopkins, Barnstable, to present
time.

The sheriffs for the county of Barnstable have been:
1692, William Bassett, Sandwich; 1699, Samuel Allen,
Barnstable; 1713, Shubael Gorham, Barnstable; 1715,
Joseph Lothrop, Barnstable; 1721, John Russell, Barn-
stable ; 1731, John Hedge, Barnstable ; 1748, John Gorham,
Barnstable; 1764, Nathaniel Stone, Barnstable; 1775,
Enoch Hallett, Yarmouth; 1788, Joseph Dimmick,

873 CAPE COD.

Falmoutb; 1808, James Freeman, Sandwich; 1816,
Wendell Davis, Sandwich ; 1823, David Crocker, Barnsta-
ble ; 1843, Nathaniel Hinckley, Barnstable ; 1848, Charles
Marston, Barnstable; 1852, Daniel Bassett, Barnstable;
1853, David Bursley, Barnstable ; 1856, Charles C. Bearse,
Barnstable; 1863, David Bursley, Barnstable; 1878, Levi
L. Goodspeed, Barnstable; 1880, Thomas Harris, Barn-
stable; 1884, Luther Fisk, Dennis; 1890, Joseph
Whitcomb, Provincetown. In 1720, the record reads, that
Shubael Gorham was appointed '^to be joint sheriff with
Mr. Lothrop." In 1731, John Hedge was appointed ''to be
joint sheriff with Shubael Gorham.^

When the legislature, in 1828, abolished the court of
sessions and commissioners of highways, in their place was
established a board of county commissioners. The first ap-
pointments were : Samuel T. Croswell, Falmouth ; Matthew
Cobb, Barnstable ; Obed Brooks, Harwich ; John Freeman,
Sandwich, and Orren Howes, Dennis, special commissioners.
By a statute of April, 1835, the board was that year
re-organized, and the following persons were elected for a
term of three years, and their i^uccessors were chosen every
three years thereafter until 1854 :

1835 — Jesse Boyden, Sandwich; Michael Collins, East-
ham ; Alexander Baxter, Yarmouth. Special commissioners
— Jonathan Nickerson, Dennis; Xath'l Hinckley, Barn-
stable.

1838 — Jesse Boyden, Sandwich; Michael Collins, East-
ham; Charles Seal's, Yarmouth. Special commissioners —
Nathaniel Hinckley, Barnstable; Jonathan Nickerson,
Dennis.

1841 — Zenas D. Bassett, Barnstable; Isaac Hardy,
Chatham; John Newcomb, Wellfleet. Special commis-

POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 871

sioners — Nehemiah Baker, Dennis; Simeon Dillingham,
Sandwich.

1844 — Seth Crowell, Dennis; Ebenezer Nye, Falmouth;
John Newcomb, AA'ellfleet. Special commissioners — Simeon
Dillingham, Sandwich ; Barnabas Doane, Eastham.

1847 — Seth CrowcU, Ebenezer Nye, John Newcomb.
Special commissioners — Simeon Dillingham, Barnabas
Doane.

1850 — Seth Crowell, Dennis; John Doane, Orleans;
David K. Akin, Yarmouth. Special commissioners —
James H. Knowles, Eastham ; Nathan Jenkins, Barnstable.

1853 — John Doane, Orleans ; David K. Akin, Yarmouth;
Simeon Dillingham,' Sandwich. Special commissioners —
Nathan Jenkins, Barnstable ; Jesse Collins, Eastham.

The act of 1854 provided for the retirement of one
member in that year, one in 1855 and one in 1856, the
other to hold his office until 1856, and for the annual
election of one commissioner each year to hold office for
three years. In 1855, David A. Smith of Provincetown
succeeded David K. Akin, and in 1856, William Hewins of
Falmouth succeeded Simeon Dillingham. In September,*
1856, Edward W. Ewer of Sandwich succeeded to the
vacancy caused by the retirement of David A. Smith.
Since that time the terms begin in January, and have been
tilled as follows: 1857, James Gifford, l^ovincetown ;
1858, Edward W. Ewer, Sandwich; 1859, 1862, Joseph H.
Sears, Brewster; 1860, John W. Davis, Wellfleet; 1861,
1864, Erasmus Gould, Falmouth ; 1863, 1866, 1869, Daniel
Paine, Truro; 1864 to 1885, James S. Howes, Dennis;*
1867 to 1876, Ebenezer S. Whittemore, Sandwich ; 1872,
Elijah E. Knowles, Eastham; 1875, Jonathan Higgins,
Orleans; 1876 to 1888, 1894, 1897, Joshua C. Robinson,

^On page 80d it was stated that Mr. Howes fiUed that office Zi years.

Sri GAPE COD.

Falmouth; 1881, Nathan D. Freeman, Provincetown, (died
in office, 1887) ; 1886, 1889, Solomon £. Hallett, Chatham;
1888, 1891, Samuel Snow, Barnstable; 1888, (to fill
vacancy, by death of N. D. Freeman), 1889, Isaiah C*
Young, Wellfleet ; 1892, 1895, John H. Glark, Brewster ;
1893, 1896, Richard A. Rich, Truro.

The special commissioners since 1856 have been : 1856,.
Cyrus Weekes, Harwich; Xath'l Snow, Chatham. 1859,
Joshua C. Howes, Dennis; Daniel Paine, Truro. 1862,
James B. Crocker, Yarmouth ; Isaac Bee, Chatham. 1865,
Elisha Taylor, Yarmouth; Isaac Bee, Chatham. 1868,
Wm. H. Underwood, Harwich; Isaac Bee, Chatham.
1871, William A. Atkins, Provincetown ; Tully Crosby^
Brewster. 1874, John W. Davis, AVellfleet; Watson B.
Kelley, Harwich. 1877, John W. Davis, Wellfleet; Joshua
M. Howes, Yannouth. 1880, Freeman Howes, Yarmouth;
John E. Perry, Chatham. 1883, Freeman Howes, Yar-
mouth; Andrew F. Shennan, Sandwich. 1887, Freeman
Howes, Yannouth; William N. Stone, Wellfleet. 1890,
Freeman Howes, Yarmouth ; James H. Hopkins, Province-
town. 1893, Freeman Howes, Yarmouth; AVatson F.
Baker, Dennis. 1896, Watson F, Baker, Dennis ; Henry
H. Baker, Jr., Barnstable.

SOCIETIES, ETC.

The Barnstable County Agricultural Society was organized
May 5, 1843, with about sixty members, and an act of
incorporation was granted by the Massachusetts Legislature
of 1844. The first exhibition and fair by the society was
held in the court-house, in the fall of that vear. The
annual fair has been held each year in Barnstable, except
in the year 1851, when it was held in Orleans, and 1852, in
Sandwich. In 1857-8, a lot was acquired in Barnstable,

POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. «TS

and a building was erected upon it, at a cost of about
$4,300. This building was destroyed in a severe gale in
the spring of 1862, and a new one erected the succeeding
year. The society has Ijecn the recipient of several
donations. Hon. AVilliam Sturgis gave SI 200 to cancel the
debt on the second building. Capt. John Percival, a gallant
and distiniruijihed officer of the U. S. navv, and a native of
Bamstible, left S500, the income of which is devoted to
premiums to exhibitors.* Mrs. Ellen B. Eldridgc also gave
the society $500, in recognition of the interest which her
husband, the late Dr. Azariah Eldridge, took in the welfare
of the society, this gift also to ]ye devoted to the same
object as the donation of Capt. Percival.

The officers of the society during its existence have been
as follows: Presidents — John Reed, chosen in 1848;
Zenas D. Bassett, 1848 ; C. B. H. Fessenden, 1851 ; Charles
Marston, 1852; S. B. Phinney, 1835; George ^Jarston,
1859; Nathaniel Hinckley, 1864; Nathan Crocker, 1866;
Charles C. Bearse, 1869; Levi L, Goodspeed, 1871 ; Chas.
F. Swift, 1873; A. T. Perkins, 1875; Azariah Eldridge,
1878; John Simpkins, 1888 to present time. Secretaries —
Charles H. Burslcy, 1843; George Marston, 1853; S. B..
Phinney, 1859 ; Frederick Scudder, 1862 ; George A, King,.
1865 ; Charles F. Swift, 1867 ; Charles Thacher, 2d, 1871 ;
F. B. Goss, 1876 ; F. P. Goss, 1879 ; Frederick C. Swift,
1882; Henry M, Hutchings, 1895, to present time. Treas-
urers — Joseph A. Davis, 1843; Ebenezer Bacon, 1845;
Daniel Bassett, 1853 ; S. P. Holway, 1858 ; S. B. Phinney,
1860; Walter Chipman, 1861; Frederick Scudder, 1867;
Walter Chipman, 1868 ; Freeman H. Lothrop, 1875 ; Albert
F. Edson, 1882 ; Andrew F. Sherman, 1896, to present time.
Delegates to State Board of Agriculture — George ^larston^

•Capt. Percival died in Dorchester, Sept. 17, 18G2, aged 84 years.

87B CAP£ COD.

1859 ; S. B. Phinney, 1862 ; John Kenrick, 1866 ; S. B.
Phinney, 1870; Augustus T. Perkins, 1879 ; Nathan Edson,
1882 ; John Bursley, 1892, to present time.

The Cape Cod His^torical Society was organized at a
meeting held at Yarmouth camp grove, August 5, 1882.
Its object, as stated in its constitution, was ^the collection,
preservation and dissemination of facts of local history .'*
The annual meetings of the society are held the 22d of
February, or the day of its legal observance. Summer
meetings are also held, when practicable, at some spot of
local historic interest. Papers on subjects of local history
are read at the annual meetings, and discussed by the
members, and some of these papers have been published;
most of them are of sufficient value to be preserved in a
more permanent form. They were written by the following
members : Capt. Thomas P. Howes, C. C. P. Waterman,
Ebenezer S. AVhittemore, Shebnah Rich, Samuel Snow,
Charles F. Swift and others. The following officers of the
society have been such since the organization : Cliarles F.
Swift, president; Josiah Paine, secretary; Samuel Snow,
treasurer. For the year 1896 the following additional
officers were chosen : Vice presidents, Sylvanus B.
Phinney, James Gifford, Thomas Matthews, William P.
Davis ; executive committee, the president, secretary and
treasurer, Joshua C. Howes, Eben B, Crocker.

The Barnstable County ^lutual Fire Insurance Company
is one of the oldest institutions of this nature in the state.
It was chartered in 1833. Its place of business is Yarmouth-
port, where is its office. The executive officers are a
president and secretary, who is also treasurer. The
presidents have successively been : David Crocker, Eben
Bacon, Zenas D. Bassett, David K. Akin, Joseph R. Hall,
and Simeon Atwood. The secretaries and treasurers, Amos

POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. «n

Otis, Ocorge Otis, Frank Thacher. The directors for 1896
were: Simeon Atwood, Peleg P. Akin, John H. Clark,
George N. Chipman, Hiram Harding, Henry M. Hatchings,
Thomas Howes, Andrew Lovell, Alex. T. Newcomb,
Fred'k C. Swift, Frank Thacher, A. L. Weekes, Joseph D.
AVinslow. The amount of current risks in 1897 was about
$7,364,000.

There are five national banks in the county. They were
originally, (except that of Hyannis), state banks, but
afterwards organized under the United States statutes.
The oldest institution is the Falmouth National, organized
in 1821. Its presidents have been: Elijah Swift, John
Jenkins, Oliver C. Swift, Erasmus Gould, Silas Jones,
Ward Eldred. Its cashiers, Samuel P. Croswell, Samuel
P. Boui-ne, George E. Clark, George E. Dean.

The Barnstable Bank, Yarmouthport, was chartered in
1825, and in 1865, on changing to a national institution, it
took the name of the First National Bank of Yarmouth.
Its fii*st president was David Crocker, and his successors
have been : Isaiah Crowell, Seth Crowell, David K. Akin,
Joshua C. Howes. The successive cashiers have been:
Caleb Reed, Timothy Reed, Amos Otis, \Vm. P. Davis.
Its original capital, $100,000, was increased first to $525,000,
and successively decreased to $350,000 and $175,000, at
which it remains at present.

Provincctown Bank was chartered in 1854, with a capital
of $100,000, In 1865, it became the First National Bank,
Provincctown, with a capital of $200,000. Its presidents
have been : Nathan Freeman, Stephen Cook, Moses N. Gif-
ford. The cashiers, Elijah Smith, Moses N. Gifford,
Rcul>en W. Swift, Joseph H. Dyer.

The Bank of Cape Cod, Harwich, was chartered in 1855.
Its successive presidents have been : Christopher Hall, Prince

«78 CAPE COD.

S. Crowell, Joseph K. Baker, Isaac H. Loveland, Edward K.
Crowell. Its cashiers, Obed Brooks, Jr., George H. Snow..
The capital stock is $300,000.

The First National Bank of Hyannis was chaitered in
1865. The presidents of this bank have been : Alexander
Baxter, Sylvanus B. Phinney, Joseph R. Hall, Abel D.
Makepeace. Its cashiers, Joseph R. Hall, Joseph T. Hall,
Granville E. Tillson. Its capital stock is $100,000.

There are also four savings banks in the county. The
oldest is the Seaman's Savings Bank, Pi'ovincetown, incor-
porated in 1851. Its presidents have been : John Adams,
David Fairbanks, Lvsander N. Paine. Its treasurers, David
Fairbanks, R. E. Xickerson, Enos Xickcrson, John Young,
Jr., Joseph H. Dyer, Lewis Nickerson, AV. H. Young.

The Five Cents Savings Bank, in Harwich, was chartered
1856. Its presidents have been successively : Nathan Under-
wood, Xathaniel Snow, Josiah Hardy, Prince S. Crowell,
Samuel H. Gould, Joseph K. Baker, Edward E. Crowell,
Levi Eldridge. Its successive treasurers have been, Obed
Brooks, Jr., M. S. Underwood, A. C. Snow.

Bass River Savinirs Bank was organized in South
Yannouth, in 1874. David Kelley and Hiram Loring have
been its presidents. Its treasurers have been : Pelcg P.
Akin, David D. Kelley and Stephen Wing.

Wellfleet Savin2:s Bank was chartered in 18G3, Richard
R. Freeman was the first president, who was succeeded by
Simeon Atwood. Mr. Atwood was the Hvat treasurer, and
he was succeeded by Thomas Kemp, the present incumbent.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

Associations for more effective work in the various fields
of religious effort have been formed by several of the
church organizations in this county during the current
century.

POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. JOT

The Conference of Congregational chuix'hes holds priority
of organization of these associations. It was formed Oct.
28, 1828, for the promotion of closer union between
ministers and societies. It was simply a voluntary union
until April ' 26, 1837, when a constitution was adopted,
which was amended and revised Januarv, 1845. The
pastors of the twenty churches in the county, and also of
Dukes (who seldom meet with the association) and two lay
members from each societj'', constitute the membership.
The permanent officers are a clerk or scribe, a treasurer
and two standing committees, chosen annually, the modera-
tor being elected each session, of which there are two each
year. The late Rev. Charles E. Harwood held the position
of scribe from 1870 to 1881, while he was in charge of the
society in Orleans. Other incumbencies have been of
briefer duration.

The Barnstable Baptist Association was organized in
Brewster, Oct. 10th, 1832, when a constitution was adopted,
prepared by Brothers Ewer, Han-is and ^larchant. The
association now consists of fifteen churches on the Cape,
the Vineyard and Nantucket, It holds its sessions at least
annually, commencing on the second AVednesday in
September in each year. Each church is allowed to send
its pastor and four lay members, styled ''messengers.'*
The officers are a moderator, a clerk and a treasurer. To
this meetin<^ each church sends a communication containing
an account of its condition and prosperity. There is little
permanency to the i)ersonnel of the organization, very few
of the officers for the last sixty-five j'ears being re-elected
more than once or twice in succession. The first moderator,
in 1832, was Brother Seth Ewer; Clerk, E. X. Hams.
The last moderator, chosen in 1897, was Rev. A. Fair*
brother of Vineyard Haven ; the clerk was Rev. Harvey A*
Platts of Pocasset.

880 CAPB COD.

The Barnstable Conference of Universalists was organized
A. D. 1838. There are belonging to it eight societies. It
holds an annual meeting, and special meetings whenever or
wherever desired. During most of its existence its only
permanent officer was called " standing clerk." The president
and other needed officers were chosen for the session. The
services of the clerks or secretaries have, for the most part,
been of short duration, say one or two years. Those who
filled the office for a series of years are Eev. S. Barden,
seven years ; Rev. C. A. Bradley, fouiteen years ; Rev. B.
Smith, five years; Mr. James A. Small, ten years. The
organization has never failed to hold its regular sessions.
This record affords the opportunity to make some further
mention of this denomination, which has had many
adherents in the county for the past seventy years. Revs.
Chas. and J. M. Spear being of the pioneers in disseminating
that faith. For a series of years the conference suppoiied
a missionary, who gave his whole time to travelling and
preaching through the county. Pastorates have been for
the most part brief. Those extending over a considerable
period are: Rev. R. S. Pope, 30 years; Rev. C. A.
Bradley, 30 years; Rev. V. Lincoln, 11 years; Eev. S.
Barden, 8 years ; Rev. B. Smith, 7 years. Nine natives of
the county have entered the Universalist ministry, and a
large number of devout women have become ministers*
wives.

The Cape Cod Conference of Unitanans was organized at
Barnstable, November 30, 1870, and the three parishes :
Congregational church and society in Barnstable, the First
Parish in Brewster, the First Church of Christ in Sandwich,
formed the conference. In October, 1871, the Unitarian
Society at Nantucket joined the conference, but in June,
1891, decided to withdraw, in consequence of the groat

POPULATION. CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 881

inconvenience of the jonmcy and the difficulty of making
connections. The name chosen was. The Cape Cod
Conference of Congregational Unitarian and other Liberal
Christian Churches. A constitution, consisting of ten
articles, was adopted, and Major S. B. Phinney of Barn-
stable was chosen president ; Rev. S. B. Flagg of Sandwich
was chosen secretary and treasurer. The first regular session
of the conference was held at Brewster, June 8-9, 187 !•
The following have been successive presidents : Sylvanus
B. Phinney, for twenty-two years, Charles Dillingham,
Franklin B. Goss, Thomas C. Day, the present incumbent.
The secretaries have been, Rev. S. B. Flagg, Rev. James
Collins, Rev. James Mulligan, and Rev. Thomas Dawes,
from 1874 to the present time.

The Methodists, the Episcopalians and the Catholics do
not maintain a county association, but are connected directly
with their respective central organizations. With the
Methodists, the conference is similar in its methods to the
otheiT county associations, except that it covers a more
extended field of operations.

MEDICAL OROANIZATION8.

The Barnstable District Medical society has been in
existence at least forty years, and has some twenty members.
It is devoted to social and fraternal concerns and mutual
protection, and the keeping alive of a high professional
standard.

By chapter 26 of the Public Statutes of Massachusetts,
the county of Barnstable is divided into three districts for
Medical Examiners, whose functions are similar, though
more comprehensive, than those of former coroners. The
names of the present incumbents are :

4»2 CAPE COD.

No. 1, Harwich, Dennis, Yarmouth, Brewster, Chatham,
Orleans and Eastham — George N. Munsell, Harwich.

No. 2, Barnstable, Bourne, Sandwich, Mashpee and
Fabnouth — R. H. Faunce, Sandwich.

No. 3, Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet — William M.
Moore, Provincetown.

LAW LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

Under the provisions of the laws of the state, a Law
Libmry Association was organized in 1889. Judge Henry
A. Scudder presented to the association his valuable private
law library, which is added to from certain fees and
appropriations by the Legislature. The officers of the
association are: Librarian, F. H. Lothrop; Treasurer,
Fred'k C. Swift ; Clerk, Thomas C. Day.

GIFT LIBRARIES.

The readers of the foregoing pages have observed in the
natural course of this relation, the instances of enlightened
munificence, which have prompted gifts of libraries and
public halls to the people of their native towns — by Isaac
Thacher and Nathan ilatthews to Yarmouth; Nathan
Freeman to Provincetown ; Isaac Kich to Orleans ; Henry
C. Brooks to Harwich ; by the representatives of William
Sturgis for Barn^jtable. It is a pleasing office to add to
these closing pages other instances of recent thoughtful
regard of native Cape Cod men for the people of their
biithplace.

Jacob Sears, a native of East Dennis, some time since
deceased, left a conditional bequest of about $15,000
for the erection of a hall for public lectures and the main-
tenance of a library in that village. The bc(iucst I>ecame
available in 1894-5, and in 189G a hall, in which a course of
lectures was inaugurated, was erected, and a collection of

POPULATION. CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. SS3

1>ook!i was begun, to be added t» od the income of the fand
iDcreodes. The dedication of the hull to the uses contem-
plated by the donor was obsen'ed by titling services,
Siiui'l L. Powers, E-sfj. delivering an address appropriate to
the occasion.

Hon. MorccUus Eldrcdge of Portsmouth, X, H., of Chatham
oiigin, built and gave to that town a beautiful and commo-
dious library structure, to be also used as a public reading
room, together mth a fund of $5000; and Mrs. Marcellus
Eldrcdge added a well-selected collectiuu of reference books ;
to which Mr. H. Fisher Eldredge added nearly 2000
volumes of general literature. The library' was opened to
the public May, 1896.

This list of benefactions closes with the gift of a large
library and fine edifice to contaiu it, a memorial to the late
Jonathan Bourne, a native of the town of Bourne, by his
dauj;;htcr. Miss Emily H. Bourne of Xew Bedford. The
building is situated near the birthplace of Air. Bourne, and
beside the library, it contains an office for the town officers,
and a reading room for the citizens. It was dedicated to
public use June 19, 1897, the exercises being most appro-
priate, and were pai-ticipated in by Rev. M. C. Julian of
Xew Bedford, and America's greatest actor, Joseph Jefferson,
now numbered among the permanent residents of the town.

INDEX.

Acadians at Monument River, 158.
AflTioulture, 65.
Aiden, Rct. TimothT, 264.
Alden, Rev. Timothy, Jr., 341.
Alcrer, Gertrude, 347.
Allefonsce, Johan, 10.
Andros, Sir Edmund, 126.
Atlantic Cable, 306.
Atwood, Nathaniel E., 298.

Bachilor, Stephen, attempts set-
tlement, 42; death, 42.

Bacon, Ebeuezer, 304.

Baker, Hon. Jos. K., 209.

Bankn: Falmouth bank, 377;
Barnstable bank, Yarmouth,
377; Province town bank, 377;
bank of Cape Cod, 377; first Na-
tional bank of Hyannis, 378;
savings banks, 378.

BaptiHts first gathered, 219.

Barlow, G<?o., appointed officer to
suppress heresy, 96; persecutes
Quakers, 06; encl of discreditable
career. 102.

Barnstable settled, 48; first place
of worship, 48 ; first church built,
53; division of common lands,
137; threatening demonstrations,
240; centennial celebration, 269;
soldiers at Richmond, 276; land
reserved for burying ground, 120;
wind-mill erected, 132; small-
pox, 162; Baptist Church organ-
ized, 180; refused action on Inde-
pendence, 184; reward for killing
wolves, 233; South Congrega-
tional Church incorpurated, 270 ;
on taxation, etc., 171; loyalist
mob, 173.

Barnstable county agricultural
society organized, 874; dona-
tions, 375 ; officers of society, 375.

Barnstable County Mutual Fire
Insurance company, chartered,
376: officers of, 377.

Boss River bridges, 200.

Baxter. Sylvester, 346.

Birds, 6.

• Blackbirds, 160.

Blackfish captured, 305.

Blockade, coast of U. 8. declared
in a state of, 237.

Boston garrisoned, 168; Tea Party,
160; commerce interdicted, 175.

Bounds of land set forth, 40.

Bounds settled between Sandwich
and Plymouth, 159.

Bourne; fire in woods, 307; cele-
brates anniversary, 30L

Bourne, Ben J. F., 3^.

Bourne, Richard, teaches Indians,
83; 325; 332.

Bourne, Jos^ 326.

Bradford, wm., loses his wife by
drowning. 27.

Bray, Mrs. Marr M., 347.

Brewster, act of separation, incon-
gruous, 216; tribute demanded
from, as immunity from inva*
sion, 247; committee to keep dogs
out of meeting-house, 270; divid-
ing line changed, 27L

British vessel ashore, 248.

Brooks, Sidney, 347.

Burr, Rev. Jonathan, 848.

Camp-meeting, 271; 279.
Canacum entertains settlers, 31;^

death, 32.
Canal committee appointed, 136.
Canal dug between Orleans and

Eastham, 225.
Canal site viewed, 212.
Canal through Cape first thought

of, 35.
Cape Cod, name of, 1; 12;
Cape captains in other lands, 228.
Cape Cod Historical societv, or-
ganized, 376; officers of, 376.
Cape Cod Ship Canal, 294.
Cape shipmasters and merohanta,

254.
Cape vessels captured by the

British,244.
Captain Kidd, 145.
Capture and escape of two Cape

captains, 245.

CAP£ COD.

Carver; Johu, elected governor,

CeudUfl, from settlement to 1765,
3G1; first ccn*:us of Mas^^., elev-
enth deceuuiul cen:»u:» of U. S.,

Chamberlain, Rev. X. H., 845;

ChamlMtrliiyiie, C'hai*. F., ^,
Champlain, 'explores ooa^t, 14;

arrives oif Chatham, 15; takea

fio.H»e3sion, 15; encounter with
udlanA, 16.

Character of flrttt ^ettlen, 40.

Charge of murder, 131.

Chatnum oppot^ed War of 1812-15,
238.

Children*^ recreations. 72.

Chipman, Lieut. Col. Chas., 277.

Church attendance, 73.

Church, Col. Benj., jriven com-
mi«slou of major, 127; recruits
troopf, 138.

Church first established, 40; 42.

Coast chRiige.**, 13.

Cobb. Elijah, interview with
Robespierre, 229.

Cogswell, John B. D., 290; 347.

Commerce of Cape Cod during
War of 1812-15. 245; expansion,
227; crippled by iiiadeciuaey of
naval forces, ' 2o0; prohibited
with foreijjn countries, 231.

Common, laud reserved for. 41.

Constable's powers, 38: duties, 58.

Constitution of U. S. ratified. 215.

Continental Congre.Hs, 1(36; 175.

Com returned by .<ettler.H, 29.

Corporations. 260.

Council of ministers, 47.

County officers, rejii^ters of pro-
bate, 370; county treasurers, 371;
clerks of courts, 371; sheriffs,
371; 872; county commissioners,
872; 373; 374; 'special commis-
sioners, 374.

County formed, 123.

Court House built, 124; new one
built, 250; old ])eU. 259.

County house burnt, :^7.

Court of Common Pleas, estab-
lished in Plymouth Co., 127; at
Barnstable, 176.

Courts of iuM^lvency established
and consolidated. 360.

Court, obstruction of sessions, 178.

Courts posti»o]ic(l. 212.

Cranberry, history of its cultiva-
tion, 283.

Crow, John, ^anteeof Yarmouth,
44.

Crocker, Frederick W., 847.
Cudworth, James 87.
Customs, collectors of, 8G3.

Dark day, 218.

Declaration of Independence, ISS^.

Deeds restored, 258.

Deer slaupht^red, 271.

De Monts explores coast, 14.

Dennis separated from Yarmouth,
215; divided into two parishes,
270.

Diramick, Oen. Jos., captures the
Gen. Leslie, 108; captures schoon-
er ooutaiuing com, 190; dies in
Falmouth, 2i».

Dimmock, Col. Then., killed, 185.

District courts, 360; 870.

Doane, Heman. 850.

Dodge, Rev. Jonn W., 847.

Dutch, trade with, 85; fears of
war, 76; preparations for war, 77.

Duties on various articles, 187;
repeal, 168.

Dwight, Dr. Timothy, 352.

Dyer, BenJ. Jr., 847.

Earthquake in New England, 50.

Eustham settled, 5:i; leading men,
54; tribute demanded, 247;
money appropriated for meeting
bouse. 120; presented for having
no school-master, 100; l>ounds
settled. 160; brig Wilkes cast
ashore, 212.

Eel River lias bridjre by order of
court. 59; taxation for. 75 ; Cape
towns a^tiin assessed, 135.

EUlrid«re, Rev. Azariah, 299; 848.

Eidridire, (ieo.. :i49.

Eliot. John, apostle to the Indians,
47; 324.

Emharsro Act. 231; 2*5.

Emijrrutlon to Maine. 158.

Executive councillors, 31^

Expedition to find food. 29.

Express Companies, 288.

Falmouth, first settlers, 125; at-
tempted destruction by British,
195; in War of 1812-15, 2a; first
bank of county incorporat<»d,
257; bi-ceutenulal celebration,
298; votes money for meet ins-
house, 160; "new* purchase" laid
out in lots, 160; Methodist soci-
ety,233.

Fast Day set apart, 50.

INDEX.

897

Fay, Jos. Story, 340.

Fiue for Sabbath breaking, GO: 60;
for selling liquor, 131 ; for steal-
lug, 60.

First church, 40.

First laws of colouj,37.

Fish, 4.

Fisheries, 65: value to Plymouth
colonisti<, 312; limited to resi-
dents, 312; seining prohibited,
813; statistics, 314; ma<*kerel. 315;
people employed, 310; U. S.
Fishery Counnissiou,ol7: Mariue
Biolo;ncal Laboratory, 318.

Fishing ])ermits, 61.

First comers, character and for-
mer occupation, 03; reasons for
choosing this locality, 64.

Flora, 3.

Food of first settlers, 66.

Ford, Daniel B., 313.

Freeman, Rev. Frederick, 841.

Freeman, Gen. Xath'l, 264.

Freeman, Rev. Jas., 341.

French and Indian War, 143.

Fulliug-mill, 132.

Gammons, Rev. J. 6., 840.
General Court, last of Plymouth

Colony, 131.
Gilford, James, 851.
Gosuold, Bartholomew, 12.
Governor, votes for in 1813-14, 230;

election of, 38.
Gorham. Capt. John, dies at Swan-

sey. 111; Capt. John, 2d, goes to

Winter HarDor, 134.
Grant obtained by new comers, 50.
Great gale of 1841, 260; of I860, 201.
Great £torm of 1G35, 3G.
Green, Isaiah L.,266; 238.

Hallet, Andrew, gives cow for the
poor, 60.

Hallet, Enoch, sheriff, died, 233.

Hamblin, Gen. Joseph, 277: 291.

Harwich admitted as a town, 134;
first church, 136; feeling as to
the War of Revolution, 170; Bap-
tist pocietv organized, 233; large
fire, 305.

Hersey, Dr. Abner, 254.

Highest land, 1.

Highways amended, 60.

Hinckley, Gustavus A., 350.

Hinckley, Thoma«:, made commis-
sary general, HI; elected gov-
ernor, 122; supplanted by An-

dros, 126; re-elected, 120; osreer
and death, 140.

Houi^e^, enumeration of, 36L

Houses of first comers, 60.

House of worship, law requiriiig*
V£t.

Howes, Thos., grantee of Yar-
mouth, 44.

Howes, Capt. Thos. P., 302; 347.

Hudson, Henrv, landed at Cape
Cod, 16.

Hull, Jos., first minister of Barn-
stable, 52; invited to preach in
Yarmouth, 46.

Hvannis in War of 1812-15, 248;
breakwater, 257; Normal school,
304.

Incorporation of towns, 1.

Independence, Cape towns in the
war of, 184.

Independent cause favored by
Mr. Lothrop, 5:1.

Indians: titles extinffui.'<hed, 51;
trading with, 13; sold as slaves^
17; lost boy found among, 28;
cause of fir»t attack, 322; under-
standing with settlers, 20; theft,
30; many die, 32; rescue ship-
wrecked crew, 86; engage them-
selves to fidelity to English, 86;
have libertv to set up house for
meeting, l50; Capt. Hunt's per-
fidy, 321; theniague, 322; three
sachemdoms, 322; names tribes,
322 ; their gi*anaries save the En-
glish, 323; mythology, 323; titles
acknowledered by Knorllsh, 824;
efforts to cLri>tiai:ize, 324; courts,
325; Rev. Gideon Hawley suc-
ceeds Mr. Bourne, 326; attempts
to redress grievances, 327; lands
apportioned, 328; Cape Indians^
328; Fraying Indians, 320; other
Indian teachers, 330; decay of
race, 331.

lyanough described, 28; entertains

* settlers, 29; death, 32; remains
found in East Barnstable, 32.

Jenkins, Chas. W. 342.

Justices of common pleas, 867; 368.

Judges of probate, 360.

Kenrick, Capt. John, discoverer

of the Columbia River, 228.
I Kintr Philip's War commences, 106;
I character of Philip, 107; soldiers

OAPB COD.

famished bj towns, 107; Narra-
gansetts aid Philip, 100; Xarra-
gansetts lone 1000 men, 110; two
Cape men wounded. 111; battle
nearSeekouk, 113; desertion and
death of Philip, lU; attitude of
Cape Indians, 110: war policy of

foyernmeut,117; debt contracted
y war, 118.
King George's War, 148.

Land division, 40; 50.

Land committee appointed, 45.

Latitude, 1; 13.

Laws of England ignored by the
oolonistd, 38.

Law Library association, S8*i.

Laws printed, 89.

Leverich, Mr., arraignment and
removal, 81.

Lewis, Maj. George, died, 270.

Lewis, Sam'l, 272.

Libraries, gift: Yarmouth, 292;
Proviucetown, 291; Orleans, 382;
Harwich, 382; East Dennis, 382;
Chatham, 883; Bourne, 38a

License for an ordinary, 59; to
draw wine, 60.

Life saving service, 292.

Lighthouses; sites sranted at
Mouomoy, Nobsque Point, Sandy
Neck and Long Point, 270.

Liquor imported, GC.

Local court, 56.

Lothrop, John, arrived in Barn-
stable, 48; character and educa-
tion, 49.

Louisburz, siege of, 130; whaleboat
fleet, loO; what it taught the
colonists, 164.

Loyalists, 17a

Macadamized road, 310.

Mail service, 286.

Manomet trading station, a5; 38.

Maritime bu^ille?is (lei)re>sioii, 282;
interests of New Eu;rluud, 237.

Morstou, Geo., 297; ^48.^

Mflrston, yvmphas,2S0.

Mason and Sliclt 11 brought to
Provineelown, 276.

Mashpee usks for larjrer liberties,
IfiO; IndiHu plaiituiiou nmde a
district, 2T0; land set apart for
In«liaiis, 325: niadn a town, 32o.

Mattacheeseti, attempted settle-
ment uf, 43: »:nu»i.-, o'J.

Matthews, Marmaduke, first min-
ister of Yui'iuouth, 46.

Matthews, Nathan, 29SS.
Mayflower in ProTincetown har-

l>or, 19; compact in cabin, 2L
Mayo, John, first minister of

Eastham, 55; died, 12a
Medical organizations, 38L
Methodism, 157; growth and

spread, 217.
Military discipline, liberty granted

for, 00. •
Military musters, 89l
Militia re-organized, :Sia
MUler, Kev. John, 47; 82.
Mirage, 10.

Monnamoit [see Chatham].
Money appropHated to teach

children, lOa
Murder of Edith Freeman, 806.
Myrick, Rev. Osbom, 840.

Narragansetts, expedition against,
58.

Xauset [see Eastham.1
I newspapers, Nautical Intelligen-
cer, 353; Bamstal>le Co. Gazette,
858; Barnstable Journal, 854;
Cape Cod Journal, 354; Barn-
stable Patriot, 3^; Yarmouth
Register, 3^; i^andwlch Observ-
er, 355; Cape Cod News, 856;
Provineetown Banner, 356; At-
lantic Messenger, 356; Cape Cod
Republican, i>56; Provineetown
Advocate, 350; Provineetown
News, 357; Chatham Monitor,
357; Cape Cod Bee, 357; Sandwich
Gazette, Falmouth Chronicle,
357; Harwich lutlependent, 858;
Cape Cod Item, 358; Mayflower,
858; Sandwich Observer, 850;
Falmouth Local, 3o9; Cape Cod
Independent, 359; The Indepen-
dent, 359; Barnstable County
Journal, 360; Cape Cod News,
860; Welltieet News and Sand-
wich Review, 360; Provineetown
Beacon, 360; Falmouth Enter-
prise, 360.

Nicker^on, Wm., has controversy
as to land title^, $4.

Northmen visit the Cape, 8.

Orleans refuses to give tribute,
248; *' Battle of Orleans," 249;
church buvs ba:»s viol, 234; Os-
bom, Dr. John, :>;>9.

Otis, Amoi», 294: 312.

Otis, Col. James, president of

INDEX.

' Council, 182; character and death,

191.
Otis, James, Jr.. 155; 210.
Otis, Gen. Jos., 23S.

Packets, 286.

Paine, Josiuh, 342.

Paine, Jo^ihua H., 842.

Pamet Isee Truro].

Parliament reimburr^es Colonists,
15SL

Payne, John Howard, 852.

Perry, Mrs. Caroline T., 350.

Perry, Edward, 330.

Pestilence umoug natives, 17.

Phinney, Sylviuius) B., 349.

Phipps, Sir William, arrives in
Boston, 134.

Pilprinis send out exploring party,
24; buying corn, :f5; send explor-
ing party t«i region near Kast-
ham/^6; attacked by Indianst, 20;
cousb iiioiig 1o Plynrouth, 27.

Piracy suppressed* 145.

Pirate lieet »hipwi*eoked, 140.

Population, 7.

Plymouth Colony, end of political
existence, 131; divided, 123.

Pratt, Knoch, 342.

Prence, Thos., elected governor,
78; character, 87.

Prince, Rev. Thos., 889.

Pring, Martin, 14.

Privateering, 250.

Province lauds, 155; 101; 302.

Provincelown, dikini^ harbor, 289;
memorial tablet, 303; relations
between people and English offi-
cers, 205; at mercy of British,
188; in War of 1812-15, 241; ship
coiitaiuiij<; "siniflry Tories" cast
ashore, 211; uppropriations for
harbor, 270; 10*2; 23*^; town hall
and school house burned, 306.

Provincial Cougi'css, 172.

Proviucinl legirlatiou, 133.

Public debt, 154.

Public highway laid out, 70.

Public Stnools, 313.

Public whipping given to Robert
liarper, 8a

Quakers first appear, 00; laws
against. 01; lines, 05; IW; puuish-
raeuty, 90; pn>test«i atrainst per-
secutiou, 101; doctrine and
hubitri, 104; friendly feeling of
Cape ministers, 105.

Queen Anne's War a detriment to

people and industries, 18tf ; whale
boat fleet, 139.

Railroads, 285; 298; 28L

Rates of payment, GO.

Rebellion, the: The Cape calls
for troops, 274; incursions of
rel)el privateer Taeony, 2TO.

Reed, John, 209.

Religious l>e1ief tolerated, 64.

Religious indifference, 80.

Religious societies: Conference
of Congregational churches, 379;
Barnstable Baptist association.
879; Barnstable conference of
Universaliats, 380; Cape Cod
conference of Unitarians, 380.

Representatives in congress, 303.

Representative governiiient, 55.

Resistance, first overt act of,
against Great Britain, 175.

Revival of industries, 253.

Revolutiouurv War: Enlistment
of Cape soldiers, 180; men draft-
ed. 188; protection of coast, 197;
call for men and supplies, 188;
requisition for re-euiorcement
of army, 201; poverty of people,
203; Cape men taken prisoners,
209; Cape men who figured in
events connected with the War.
207; mothers and daughters aid
preparations, 183; death of actors
in War, 228.

Richards, Mrs. A. M., 848.

Road built from Barnstable to
Plymouth, 233.

Ryder, Rev. Wm. H., 36a

Salt manufacture, 219.

Samoset appears before settlers,
27.

Sandwich: Reasons for remissness
in furnishing troops for King
Philip's War, 112; academy in-
corporated, 225; people nave
liberty to seek refuge in garri-
son, 120; two hundred and fiftieth
anniversary, 300; glass factory
established', 257; presented for
not training, Gl; grant of land to
Matthias Ellis, 101; town buys
land at HeiTing River, IGO; small
pox, 212; reward offered for kill-
ing wolves, 2:ii; att<*uipt to divide
town, 23;^; leave to erect cotton
mill, 234; Rev.^Ir. Burr dismissed
from church, 252; appropriates
money for meeting-house, 100.

GAPE COD.

Sandy beach sold, 89.

Soudder. Heury A., 348.

8ear«, El>enezer, guard over Major
Andre, 206; flr^t navigator east
of Cape of Good Hope, 206.

Sears. Philip H., 348.

Sears, Richard aud David, Join
English army, 102.

Senators, 366.

Settlement first made on the Cape,
BO.

Shaw, Tjemnel, 278.

Smith, Capt. John, 16.

Smith, Rev. Johu, secedes from
Barnstable church, 89; leaves
Sandwich church, 132.

Soil, 2.

Somerset wrecked, 104.

Sparrowhawk strauded, 38; pas-
sengers come to Plymouth, 34;
hull exhumed, 34.

Squanto, 18; 29.

Stage coachefi, 286.

Stamp act, 166; repealed, 167.

Stanaish, Miles; makeK expedi-
tion, 31; deals with Indians, 32;
settles laud questious, 46; laud
granted, 6L

State board of agriculture, dele-
gat4»:« to, 375, 378.

Stock raising, 64.

Stone, Dr. Tho-. N., 344.

Sturgis, Wm., 279.

Succanepsett [8»ee Falmouth].

Sunday observance. 73.

Superior court at Barnstable, 155.

Swift, Chaii. F., 3«.

Swift, Frances E., 344.

Taylor, Samuel, 271.

Taxing colonies, 1(36.

Tea controversy; Cape towns'
attitude, 171.

Telegraph and cables, 288.

Thocher, Anthony, grantee of
Yarmouth, 44; shipwrecked, 36.

Thocher, (;eorge, 262.

Thanksgiving first held, 50.

Thoreau, 352.

Thornton, Thomas, 83; 3.S0.

Tragedv on high seat*. 180.

Treat, lie v. Samuel, died, 161; 330.

Tripp, Prof. Alonzo, 345.

Truro: Company rais«'d for de-
fence of the town, 212: attitude
in teo controversy, 170: 171; feel-
ing against wbigs, 173; woods
burned, 3a5.

Tupper, Elisha, Indian missionary,

Tupper, Thos., 8S8.

Underwood. Rev. Nathan, 268.

Union of Massachusetts and Ply-
mouth colonies. 129.

Unwelcome residents excluded,.
89; 4L

Verrazzano, 10.

Vessel cast away near Manomet
bay, 69.

Vessels hauled up during Revolu-
tionary War, 188.

Vessel seized, 88.

War of Rebellion, expense of

county, 276.
War of 1812-15: Sentiment of

county, 236; 239.
War preparations, 57.
Warren, Mercy, 340.
Weeks, Capt. Zenas, 848.
Wellfieet: Methodist society or-

Wmuized, 233; railroad. 305.
est. Dr. Samuel, 226; 340.
^Iiale captured, 27L
Whales, 20; drift controversy, 77.
Whaling, 318; towns engaged, 319;

Sursucd at various places, 319;
('cHne, 320; disposition of drift
whales, 150.

Whigs, feeling against, 173.

White, Peregrlue, born, 27.

Wild beast.-s, G.

Win«low, Josias, succeeds Gov..
Prence, 87; character, etc., 122.

Wittawamet plots against Stand-
ibh, 31; head as a trophy, 32.

Wolves, iHiunty on, 88: 182.

Women's education, 72.

Woods, 2.

Wrecks: Gen. Arnold, 194; Jason,.
302; Salem ships, 224; Friend-
ship, 211; Wilkes, 212; America,.
212; Commerce, 271; Cambria, 271;
Kagle, 271; Ajax, 2?i; Granite,
2?2; Fort una, 3(K); Jonathan
Bourne, 309; (xiovauni, 305; Nel-
son Harvey, 308.

Yarmouth settled, 43; readjust-
ment of boundary, 57; common
lauds, 142: troop's in i^iege of
Louisbnrg, 130: in Revolutionary
War, 170: at Dorcliester Heights*.
183; sentiment regarding War of
1812-15, 238; two hundred and flf-

INDEX.

»!

tleth annjvewary, 300; wharf
destroyed, 2?2; Mushautainpaine
complniued of, SS: controversy
with Sachem Yaiiiio, 88; towii
recordj* burned, I'iO; men <;om-
plained of as scoffers and jeerers
at religion, CO; eastern part set
off, 161; Rer. (rreenleaf dismissed
from church, 161; £l>enezer Tay-

lor imprisoned in a well, 161;
Ichal>od Paddock f^oes to Xaii-
tueket to teach tliem how to kill
whales, 1S2; small pox, 213; New
Church soriety dedicate church.
3M; society ior prevention or
intemperance, 270; Conffi^eza-
tional meeting-bou^e and Publio
Library dedicated, 306.

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